Katsina Standing Figure of a Male, Based

Hands on hips, beard combed, ready to hear your side of it.

Terra cotta, Northern Nigeria, West Africa: this standing figure of a male belongs to the Katsina tradition and is dated to the early 1st century, about 2,000 years ago. Scholars often discuss Katsina work in relation to Nok terracottas, while noting real differences of style. Thin arms bend to the hips from a body shaped like a tall cone. The face is wide, with slit eyes, an open mouth and hatching along the beard. A jagged lower edge ends the form. It stands 22.5 inches high.

Two millennia, and he has not moved his hands.