Woman With Cantaro

Woman carrying a pitcher over her head. Head that occupies more than a third of the total volume of the piece. Eyes that occupy most of the rose and protruding mouth open with thick lips. On his shoulders he carries two snakes and a head on his back. It all makes us think that this is a priestess, healer or sorcerer. Like the Eket They worship the ancestors and perform agricultural rites to obtain the fertility of the crops, rendering worship to Ala, divinity of the earth this woman presents several symbols that relate her to the cult and the rites consecrated to the earth such as the serpent.

The snake is one of the primordial animals of most ethnic groups. It is a bond of union between earth and heaven. Divinated in many cultures it is a symbol of wisdom, prudence and uprightness but at the same time it arouses fear and respect. The serpent, like the salamander, is associated with the underground world; it is associated especially with the fire of the earth, of the creation and of the iron forge, elements closely linked to the sorcerers, priests or healers. It is also considered by fortune tellers as a messenger and intermediary between humans and the spirits of the jungle. They consider it immortal and symbol of longevity, because of its ability to regenerate by changing mute. Being able to penetrate underground, the serpent is the messenger of the deceased. For its way of moving represents the flow of water from rivers.

The head behind your back may be the head of an enemy or a deceased who will serve you for your occult practices along with the contents of the pitcher. All this makes us think about the activity that this woman is engaged in.