An individual's personal achievements and life force (*chi*) are central to the creation and dedication of a specific class of Igbo wood carvings known as *ikenga*. Which of the following best describes the symbolic meaning of their prominent horns and the lifecycle of these devotional objects?
- AThe horns symbolize animal deities of the bush, and the sculpture is designed to be worn on the head as a ceremonial mask during agricultural initiation ceremonies.
- BThe horns symbolize the judicial authority of the village council, and the sculpture is activated by driving metal pegs into its head to bind legal oaths during community-wide trials.
- The horns symbolize the drive, physical strength, and determination needed to achieve success, and the sculpture is decommissioned or destroyed upon the owner's death since its power is tied to his individual life force.Answer
- DThe horns symbolize royal lineage and territorial control, and the sculpture is constructed using granite masonry to serve as a permanent marker for palace boundaries.
Answer
The horns symbolize the drive, physical strength, and determination needed to achieve success, and the sculpture is decommissioned or destroyed upon the owner's death since its power is tied to his individual life force.
The horns on an ikenga symbolize the drive, physical strength, and determination necessary to make progress and achieve individual success in life. Because the ikenga is an intensely personal object tied directly to the owner's personal life force (chi) and right hand (actions), it is not passed down but is decommissioned, split, or destroyed upon the owner's death.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The symbolic and functional lifecycle of the Igbo ikenga, highlighting how its horns represent individual efficacy and why it is destroyed or decommissioned upon the owner's death.
Estimated Time:1m 30s