Igala Idoma Janus Female Figure Nigeria

An interesting seated Janus female figure with hands on the abdomen. This figure comes from the Igala or Idoma people. This interesting sculpture shares several stylistic elements with a number of the small groups living in Northern Nigeria in the region of the confluence of the Niger and Benue Rivers. This is an area of mixed art and influences and shared sculptural styles as documented by Sieber where he notes an Idoma carver observing Igala sculptors at work and subsequently carving for both Igala and Idoma patrons. (Sieber 1961:9) In this area figures such as this were used as guardian spirits for children and good luck, healing, and prosperity.

The upper reaches of the Niger River at the confluence with the Benue River open to broad grassy plains where the Igala people who number approximately 300,000 live and where in the past they had a strong kingdom. Today this kingdom is primarily ceremonial or ritualized with little real power. To complicate the matter the Igala also share several artistic traditions with their neighbors the Basa-Nge, Isoko, and Idoma, northern Igbo, and a number of people living along the lower Niger.

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