Clay Nsodia Funerary Portrait Head Ghana

Terracotta (baked clay) heads served as funerary portraits and memorials for the Akan peoples of Ghana and for the Agni and Krinjabo people who are coastal Akan in Cote d'Ivoire. The age of this interesting figure is unknown. I have not had this piece thermoluminescence tested for age, but can recommend a laboratory if you would like one.

These terracotta heads known as "nsodia" were placed in forest groves and considered sacred. As stylized portraits, they represented the individual by the traits identified with them during their lifetime. For example, the normally reddish-brown color of the clay might have red or white lines added to the forehead to represent the individual's relationship to the mother's family.

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