Chamba Ancestor Statue - Job - Nigeria

Origin: Nigeria
Tribe name: Chamba
Material: Wood.
Dimension: 40 cm
Shipping method: Colissimo within 24-48h; open

This piece is an ancestral statue (or a protective spirit) from the Chamba people, located in the Benue Valley region, in northeast Nigeria.
​Chamba art is renowned for its minimalist and cubist aesthetics, often compared to that of their neighbors, the Mumuye.

The Head: It features a very stylized oval or arrowhead shape. The face is simplified with circular eyes (often discs or incisions) and a mouth slightly open projecting forward.
The Torso and Limbs: The body is designed around a central cylindrical column. The arms, detached from the torso but following its curve, form dynamic angles that create a visual rhythm characteristic of the Chamba "volumetric" style.
Sexual Attributes: Although the body seems androgynous at first glance, the presence of small conical breasts and a hairstyle or a bump at the top of the skull may indicate a female figure or a representation of fertility.

Ancestor Worship: These statues, sometimes called tauwa or kona, generally serve as receptacles for the spirits of ancestors. They are kept in sacred cases or family sanctuaries.
Protection: They are used to protect the community, promote harvests, or heal illnesses. Their role is to establish a bridge between the world of the living and that of the spirits.