Deity Figure (Alusi)
ClassificationsSculpture
Culture
Igbo
Date20th Century
Made AtNigeria, Africa
MediumWood and pigment
DimensionsOverall: 34 1/8 x 7 1/8 x 6 1/4 in. (86.7 x 18.1 x 15.9 cm)
Credit LineGift of Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Solomon
Object numberF77.30.13
DescriptionThis figure from the Igbo people represents the male form of Eke of the Odinani religions, an Alusi, which are dieties that regulate human life. Chukwu represents a supreme being, genderless and invisible. From Chukwu comes the Chineke, which is a compound of the words chí, the divine masculine force, and ékè, the creative and divisive feminine force. According to Odinani belief, although they are considered equal, Eke came from the hands of Chi, and Chi created the world while Eke divided it. Eke's division of the world is said to have created trickster energy that introduced death and suffering upon humanity. Eke is ones ancestral guardian spirit, and she represents the mother and greater nourishing spirit. Igbo households usually have a chi shrine on a tree, and they Igbo believe woman takes her chi shrine along with all her belongings to her matrimonial home once she is married. These dedicated shrines typically contain a plethora of the Chukwu figures.On View
Not on viewCollections
19th to 20th Century
