Nigerian Cribs Carved from Thorns

The small charming figures portray people in Nigeria are carved from thorns. The thorns grow locally on "Ata" and "Egun-Egun" trees. Every figure consists normally of various thorns, which are carved individually and glued together.

Some of the most famous thorn carvings come from a little village called Shagamu, in the western state. Lamuren, a master in thorn carvings in Shagamu says that thorn carvings had their origins in the early thirties.

Students were inspired to carve the figures and they became very popular in Nigeria. Thorn carvings are not only valued in their homeland but also in Europe and the USA they are very much in demand.

The thorns come in three different colours. "Ata" is the name of the tree on which the dark or light thorns grow. The red thorns originate from the "Egun-Egun" tree. This thorn is softer and that's why it's used for the smaller carving like the hats, containers and animals. The thorns differ in size. They can be small and pointy or large 10 to 12cm long and 5 to 7cm thick.

The figures show everyday life in Nigeria, they dance to the rhythm of drums, carry "jams" and enjoy all kind of business. They are wonderful miniatures.

by Wilhelm Nickel