Author
Chioma Nwankwu
A PhD Candidate College of Postgraduate Studies Nnamdi
Azikiwe University, Awka Anambra State, Nigeria.
Abstract
This study interrogates the intricate system of symbolism
embedded in Igbo art and craft, positioning it as a vital
medium for cultural communication, cosmology, identity
construction, and philosophical expression. Far from being
merely aesthetic objects, traditional Igbo artistic forms
ranging from sculpture and pottery to body adornment and
masquerade regalia function as semiotic frameworks through
which social values, cosmological beliefs, and historical
consciousness are encoded and transmitted across generations.
The paper adopts a qualitative, interpretive approach, drawing
on indigenous knowledge systems and existing scholarship to
examine how symbols operate within specific artistic contexts
to convey layered meanings about power, gender, spirituality,
morality, and communal belonging. Furthermore, the study
explores the role of art as a repository of collective memory
and a tool for reinforcing both individual and group identity
within Igbo society. It argues that symbolic expressions in
Igbo art are deeply rooted in the people’s worldview,
particularly their notions of dualism, the interplay between the visible and invisible realms, and the centrality of chi (personal
destiny). In engaging with the tensions between tradition and
modernity, the paper also highlights the challenges posed by
globalization, commodification, and cultural erosion, while
acknowledging ongoing efforts toward cultural preservation
and artistic revival. Ultimately, the study establishes that
symbolism in Igbo art and craft is indispensable to
understanding the broader dynamics of cultural expression
and identity formation in Igbo society.
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