The Ife Terracotta head of an Oluwo is a significant artifact from the ancient city of Ife in Nigeria.

The Ife Terracotta head of an Oluwo is a significant artifact from the ancient city of Ife in Nigeria.

The Ife Terracotta head of an Oluwo is a significant artifact from the ancient city of Ife in Nigeria. It is a terracotta sculpture of a female figure, specifically an Oluwo, who was a female Oni, or ruler, in Yoruba tradition.

The sculpture is believed to date back to the 12th or 13th century and is one of many terracotta sculptures found in the city of Ife. The head is about 9 inches tall and features intricate facial features and a flanged crown, which is a symbol of royalty in Yoruba culture.

The Oluwo was a powerful figure in Yoruba society, and the use of terracotta sculptures to represent them was common in Ife. The use of terracotta also shows the skill and artistry of the Ife people in sculpting and molding clay.According to Yoruba tradition, the Oluwo, a female Oni, went out in the rain and her regal garments got stained by mud. She was angry and ordered that the most important public and religious places in the city should be paved with fragments of terracotta.

This legend is believed to be one of the reasons behind the extensive use of terracotta in Ife, as terracotta fragments were used to pave the city’s public and religious places.The Ife Terracotta head of an Oluwo is now housed in the National Museum in Lagos, Nigeria, and is considered a national treasure. It is an important artifact that provides insight into the cultural and artistic practices of ancient African societies and reminds us of the rich history and heritage of the continent.

Originally, this head had a crest on the front of the crown like that worn by the brass figure of a king (ooni) that was discovered at this same site.12-15th century, terracotta, Nigeria.The National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Ife, Nigeria.

Source melanatedfacts