Fragmentary figure

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Description

light wood, slightly encrusted dark brown patina, cylindrical torso with accentuated navel, typical facial features, separate worked arms (now missing), missing parts through insect caused damage (lower part of the body, back of the head), traces of abrasion, base;
there are various theories about the usage of such figures: they might have been used for the puppet theatre “akan”, but they might as well have been placed on the shrine of a chief’s memorial “ngwomo”. Finally Eket figures were actually used as headdresses, danced in honour of the earth deities. They were more than likely also tutelary deities concerned with the health and prosperity of the people.

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Comparing literature

Neyt, Francois, L'Art Eket, Paris 1979, p. 13, ill. 12

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