Mumuye Lagalagana Divination Figure on Custom Stand Nigeria

Figures such as this represent females with a high-crested hairstyle and large wooden plugs placed into the nose. This is a well-carved and highly finished example of Mumuye carving that would stand well in any collection.

The Mumuye people reside in northeastern Nigeria, specifically on the left bank of the Benue River. Their agricultural practices revolve around cultivating sorghum, millet, and yams. The Mumuye remained largely isolated until the late 1950s due to the challenging access to their rocky hills and savanna lands. Consequently, very little was known about them until the 1960s.

Notably, Mumuye artists gained recognition for their unique wooden statues, which were only discovered in 1968. These statues consistently exhibit elongated body features. Although the Mumuye hold great reverence for their ancestors, their artistic creations do not represent them directly but rather embody protective spirits. It was not uncommon for a single figure or mask to serve multiple purposes simultaneously.

One of their distinct mask types is the Sukwava, characterized by a slender neck beneath a small head with prominent ears. Originally used during pre-war ceremonies, these masks are now worn during rain-making rituals and healing practices.

The Mumuye differentiate the gender of their figures and masks based on the shape of the ears. Only Mumuye women elongate their earlobes, offering a key clue for determining the gender of a particular figure.