Final answer:
The Kalabari people of southern Nigeria create wooden sculptures as a part of their cultural and spiritual tradition, symbolizing deities, ancestors, and societal roles, often used in ceremonies and believed to aid in the afterlife.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Kalabari people of southern Nigeria have a rich tradition of carving wooden sculptures that are deeply rooted in their cultural and spiritual beliefs. These sculptures often represent deities, ancestors, or concepts important to various ceremonies and societal roles within the Kalabari culture. For instance, the Ikenga sculpture from the Igbo peoples, although not specifically Kalabari, represents personal achievement and status, holding symbolic objects that represent power and connection to the community.
In addition, early tombs included small models of everyday life created for the deceased to aid in the afterlife, though many of these wooden sculptures have been lost due to decay or repurposing. Carved objects were often made from natural resources like wood and alabaster and served both functional and ritualistic purposes, embodying the syncretism of traditional and newer religious influences. Artistic guilds typically produced such items without individual recognition but rather as a collective effort to meet the regal and ceremonial needs of their society.