Kota Reliquary figure

The reliquary figure despite its geometry and flattened two dimensional aspects, is recognizable as human figure. Its highly stylized body is consists of a stem and an openwork lozenge, a symbol of fertility, which supports an stylized brass-plated head. The figure is covered with brass sheeting, with ornamental designs, but the back is usually undecorated. On occasion such as initiaton rites, festivals or in time of misfortune, as infertility, hunger, death or sickness, the ancestor reliquaries were invoked to magically strengthen the community, in ensuring their benevolent protection, bringing fertility, success and well-being to the community - reinforcing and assuring the flow of life (L. Segy 1975:213).