Afo Seated Female Nigeria

This well-carved seated female figure, showing traces of extensive use and significant age, exemplifies the artistic style of the Afo people, who reside in northern Nigeria. The figure’s detailed carving is characteristic of the Afo aesthetic, with scarification marks or striations adorning the face and body, a distinctive feature of Afo sculpture. The face shape, hairstyle, and overall facial features further align this figure with the recognizable Afo style, linking it firmly to the artistic traditions of this ethnic group. Additionally, the figure's seated position on a carved stool is a common theme in Afo sculpture, reinforcing the cultural significance of the pose.

Large figures like this one were created for communal purposes, typically dedicated to ancestors as a means of securing blessings. These sculptures were kept by the village leader and displayed annually at the village palace, where they became the focal point of rituals, including prayers, sacrifices, and offerings aimed at invoking the ancestors' favor. The figure represents an ancestral mother, a revered symbol of fertility and fecundity, from whom the living seek blessings for personal well-being and agricultural prosperity.

When not in use for ceremonial purposes, the figure was stored in the village shrine, where it was carefully preserved as a sacred object. As a powerful symbol of the community's connection to its ancestors, such figures embody the Afo people's deep spiritual beliefs and their reliance on ancestral guidance for fertility, both in the human realm and the natural environment. The figure's presence within the shrine underscores its role as a guardian and intermediary between the physical and spiritual worlds

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