Ceremonial Ladle (Wunkirmian or Wakemia)
Unknown Artist
possibly late 1800s or early 1900s
Medium
Wood, twine, and possibly resin
Dimensions
56.8 × 11.2 × 7 cm · base: 0.6 × 13.7 × 10.5 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
African Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Severance and Greta Millikin Trust
Accession Number
2013.52
About this artwork
An emblem of great prestige, this human-shaped ladle would have been owned by a distinguished married woman recognized for her talents as a farmer and her exceptional generosity and hospitality. One of her responsibilities was to host a grand Feast of Merit when she, along with other highly respected women, prepared food for a large number of local and foreign guests. During the feast the women danced brandishing their rice-filled ladles while singing in strident voices.