IGBO TRIBE NIGERIA IKENGA ALUSI STATUE CHUKWU DAVID HOWARD TRIBAL ART AFRICAN IGBO TRIBE NIGERIA IKENGA ALUSI STATUE CHUKWU

Ikenga (meaning "place of strength") is a horned Alusi (deity) found among the Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria. It is one of the most popular symbols of the Igbo people, and the most common cultural artifact. Astrologically, Ikenga's governing planet is Mars and its sacred number is 3. Ikenga is mostly maintained, kept or owned by men and occasionally by women of high reputation and integrity in the society. The Ikenga refers to wealth and social status, as well as power and aggressiveness. In the past, an Ikenga statue was broken into pieces at the death of its owner. Nowadays, they are preserved on the ancestor’s altar.