Statue Jukun

Very beautiful wooden statue, which comes from the Jukun ethnic group of Nigeria

Height: 56 cm; some gaps on the back (see photos) obviously due to prolonged storage on clay


The Jukun people


Present throughout West and Central Africa, the Jukun ethnic group lives mainly in Nigeria in the upper Benue valley.

Its king, called aka uku, is responsible for ancestor worship and guarantor of the well-being of the tribe.

The Jukun statues

They represent ancestors, wives or slaves and are displayed during funerals, agricultural ceremonies and, possibly, in cases of danger to the community. During these rites, they serve as an intermediary between the priest and the world of the ancestors.

Outside of these periods, they are kept in reliquaries; prayers are addressed to them to ensure the well-being of the group and they are sprinkled with palm wine or millet beer. Other statues are buried to honor deceased leaders.

The statue presented here is a beautiful example of raw sculpture, without polishing and without patina. The distended earlobes are typical of this region (the Jukun are neighbors of the Mumuyé) and the emphasis is placed on the stomach, the vital center of life.

Variants of the name Jukun

There are many variations of the name of the ethnic group: Abanu, Apang, Apa, Appa, Awapan, Babai, Baibai, Ba nu, Diukun, Djukkum, Djuku, Djunkun, Jikum, Jujun, Jukon, Juku, Jukum, Jukun, Jukuns, Kona, Korarafa, Kororafa, Kororofa, Kororofawa, Kororo, Kpanzo, Kpa, Kpe, Kuroroofa, Kur, Kwanaba, Kwana, Kwararafa, Kwarorrafa, Ndama, Nyufo, Ocan, Tshan, Urapang, Wapa