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Difficulty: EasyPersonal Shrines and Devotional Art

In Igbo culture, an *ikenga* is a personal shrine that is carved from wood. Which of the following best describes the primary function of this devotional object?

  1. It serves as a personal shrine dedicated to individual achievement, success, and the power of the owner's right hand.Answer
  2. B
    It is worn on the head during masquerade performances to transition young men into adulthood.
  3. C
    It functions as a community power figure activated by driving iron nails into the wood to enforce laws.
  4. D
    It acts as a hunting-magic charm designed to ensure a successful hunt by securing the favor of forest spirits.

Answer

The correct answer is the option stating that the ikenga serves as a personal shrine dedicated to individual achievement, success, and the power of the owner's right hand.
The correct option is correct because the Igbo ikenga is a personal shrine that commemorates a man's (or occasionally a woman's) achievements, physical strength, and success in agriculture, trade, or warfare. It is symbolically linked to the right hand, which represents the owner's physical capability to achieve success.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the work of art mentioned in the prompt (the Igbo ikenga).
The ikenga is identified as a personal shrine from the Igbo peoples of Nigeria.
Establishing the cultural origin helps recall its specific societal function.
2
Recall the primary iconographic and functional meaning of the ikenga.
The ikenga represents the owner's right hand, which is associated with individual agency, success, and physical prowess.
This links the physical object to its devotional purpose.
3
Evaluate the given options to find the one that matches the ikenga's role in celebrating personal achievement.
The correct option is the one describing the ikenga as a shrine to individual success and the right hand.
This distinguishes the ikenga from masquerade masks, power figures, or hunting charms.

Key Concept

The function and symbolism of the Igbo ikenga personal shrine
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Personal Shrines and Devotional Art

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