Lower Niger Bronze Industries, Nigeria
Igbo (Ibo)

Brass

ca. Mid-20th century

Height: 9.25 inches; Diameter at bottom of bell: 6.25 inches
Idiophone – Struck Directly – Metal Bell with Clapper

Traditional Igbo religion includes belief in a creator god (Chukwu or Chineke), an earth goddess (Ala), and numerous other deities and spirits as well as a belief in ancestors who protect their living descendants. Revelation of the will of the deities is sought by divination and oracles. Many Igbo are now Christians, some practicing a syncretic version of Christianity intermingled with indigenous beliefs.  These altar bells serve this syncretic verse of religious beliefs.

The Igbo people generally reside in southeastern Nigeria, which is commonly referred to as Igboland. From oral tradition and analysis of cultural traits and linguistic patterns, the Igbo people are descendants of people from the Sudan and Bantu-speaking peoples from Central and East Africa. While many Igbo members are primarily Christian, specifically Roman Catholic, some Igbo people also adhere to traditional tribal religious beliefs. While the citizens of Nigeria now must abide by federal and state laws, in the traditional government and politics, some Igbo groups have a king called an ‘Obi.’ Traditional Igbo governments were similar to a democratic-republican system, as some groups were ruled by a council of elders, while others were ruled by an assembly of citizens.