Egbira Maternity, Nigeria

Statue depicting a standing female figure carrying a child on her back. This beautifully crafted statue is original in the details depicted by the sculptor. In fact, emphasis was placed on the woman's sex (fertility), the prominent navel (descent and lineage), the scarifications (specific to the Okeshi) and the beauty of the woman's face (feminine ideal). The statues called Okeshi are used by members of the Alanya Beshi society during annual festivities related to fertility rites. They are depicted standing or seated. Their bodies and faces are covered with linear scarifications. The child's face is less fine, it is not the main subject and therefore does not overshadow the beauty of this Okeshi. She carries a cup intended for offerings on top of her head.

This statue is similar to the one illustrated in the book "Arts of the Benue Valley NIGERIA" published by SOMOGY EDITION D'ART - musée du Quai Branly; page 47, illustration 18 (see photo). It is noted: "This representation of maternity contradicts the preponderance usually given to breasts, drawing attention here to the figurine's prominent buttocks as well as to her umbilical hernia. The hair, which protrudes from the back of the head in an inverted spiral, is also unusual. This sculpture was photographed in situ in the Ganagana village of Adiho in 1976 by Ted Celenko. This region is located in northern Egbira territory and shares cultural ties with the Nupe"

Red-brown wood with a beautiful patina of use, erosion at the feet.
H: 53 cm
First half of the 20th century
Egbira people, Nigeria
Provenance: Norbert Boutet collection