African Arts Gallery

Ex private French collection of African art.

The resemblance to the Nok is surprising, but it is indeed a Jukun.
The character appears seated, almost curled up on himself.
His proportions are amazing. Indeed, its legs are very thin and long while the nose that could be described as a snout is more reminiscent of zoomorphic representation than anthropomorphic.
The patina is generally smooth and dark. A special feature of this piece, it is carved from an extremely heavy wood known as The "of fer".

The Jukuns are a population of West and Central Africa living mainly in Nigeria in the upper Benue Valley, also in northwestern Cameroon.
As a result of the expansion of the former Jukun Empire, the Jukun or Wurbo of Nigeria were dispersed into two ...

Ex-collection Belgian African art.

Due to the expansion of the former Jukun Empire, the Jukun or Wurbo of Nigeria split into two groups: one established south of the Donga River and the second north of the region near Mumuye. and Wurkum. The attacks of the Chamba first, then of the Fulani, contributed to the extinction of this kingdom. Their king Aka uku, considered semi-diviner, is also their intermediary with the royal ancestors, through rituals including the sacrifice of the king in case of plague or bad harvest. The southern Jukun have a tradition of masks, including the akuma male mask associated with the cult of the same name and of which four types were listed by A.Rubin. They are often endowed with horns evoking the ram or the antelope, in connection with the cult ...

African art in the Benoué Valley, tributary of the Niger River


Due to the expansion of the former Jukun Empire, the Jukun or Wurbo of Nigeria split into two groups: one established south of the Donga River and the second north of the region near Mumuye. and Wurkum. The attacks of the Chamba first, then of the Fulani, contributed to the extinction of this kingdom. Their king Aka uku, considered semi-diviner, is also their intermediary with the royal ancestors, through rituals including the sacrifice of the king in case of plague or bad harvest. The southern Jukun have a tradition of masks, including the akuma male mask associated with the cult of the same name and of which four types were listed by A.Rubin. Statues are rare, and belong to the widespread cult of mam in ...