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Key Moments in Life: Adulthood 6



Among the Igbo people, each adult male owned a shrine dedicated to his own personal ambition, ability, and strength. These were called ikenga, and the owner regularly offered prayers and sacrifices of gin, egg, and kola nut to the spirit of the ikenga. This small, simple example includes on its face the scars (ichi) that represent membership in a prestigious and expensive titled society. The horns that projects upward are ancient symbols of aggressiveness and ambition.

Igbo people, Nigeria
Ikenga figure
The Stanley Collection
The University of Iowa Museum of Art
photo by Ecco Wang
CMS162



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revised January 20, 1999