Leadership symbolism in Onitsha Igbo crowns and ijele / Richard N. Henderson & Ifekandu Umunna

Object Details

Author

Henderson, Richard N

Umunna, Ifekandu

Smithsonian Libraries African Art Index Project DSI

The Igbo ijele masquerade with its "great mass and delicate symmetry" has its cultural roots in the Nri-Awka area of Igboland and the ancient kingdom of Nri. Henderson and Umunna consider the homologous forms of the ijele and the feathered headdress of the Onitsha king and chiefs, comparing their symbolism and aesthetic character. They then focus on the significance of "mounds/pillars/trees," particularly termite mounds, and how these are symbolically reiterated in the ijele. Similarly, trees embody qualities and attributes that are symbolically transformed in Igbo ideas of leadership and in ijele masquerades.

1988

Call number

N1 .A258

Type

Articles

Place

Nigeria

Onitsha

Smithsonian Libraries

Topic

Ijele (Masquerade)

Igbo masquerades

Igbo symbolism

Igbo feather headdresses

Trees--Symbolic aspects

Record ID

siris_sil_551728

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0