An Ibo Alusi sculpture, collected in Delta state, Nigeria. Light wood, slightly glossy patina; signs of ritual use and age. Igbo Alusi sculptures are sacred objects created by the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria as physical manifestations of Alusi, the spiritual forces or deities that govern various aspects of the natural and social worlds. These sculptures serve as focal points in religious rituals, acting as intermediaries between humans and the divine. The Alusi represent a wide range of powers, including fertility, justice, protection, and fertility, each associated with specific cults or priesthoods. Typically carved from wood, Igbo Alusi sculptures vary in form and complexity depending on the deity they represent and the function they serve. Some are abstract and symbolic, while others are more naturalistic, depicting human or animal figures. They are often painted or adorned with objects that reinforce their spiritual potency, such as cloth, beads, or metal. These sculptures are housed in shrines and are cared for by priests or custodians who perform regular rituals to honor the Alusi and ensure their continued favor and protection. The role of Alusi sculptures extends beyond their physical form; they are believed to embody the presence and power of the deity, making them central to communal life and moral order. During festivals, sacrifices, and divination ceremonies, these sculptures are venerated, and their associated cults provide guidance, enforce laws, and mediate disputes. The artistic style of Igbo Alusi sculptures is closely linked to their ritual purpose, with emphasis placed on symbolic elements that communicate the character and authority of the deity. European collectors and missionaries documented Igbo Alusi sculptures extensively during the colonial period, often misunderstanding or oversimplifying their religious significance. Contemporary scholarship seeks to contextualize these objects within Igbo cosmology and social structure, emphasizing their continuing importance in both traditional and modern religious practice. Their aesthetic qualities have also influenced modern African art, highlighting a dialogue between indigenous spiritual expression and contemporary cultural identity. References: Cole, Herbert M., and Chike Aniakor. Igbo Arts: Community and Cosmos. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1984. Drewal, Henry John, and John Pemberton III. Sacred Waters: Arts for Mami Wata and Other Divinities in Africa and the Diaspora. Los Angeles: Fowler Museum at UCLA, 2008. Bascom, William. African Art in Cultural Perspective. New York: Viking Press, 1984. Onwuejeogwu, M. Angulu. An Igbo Civilization: Nri Kingdom & Hegemony. London: Ethnographica, 1981.