The Ijaw Fisherman Sculpture

This compelling relief sculpture captures the spirit and tradition of the Ijaw people, renowned for their deep-rooted relationship with the rivers and creeks of Nigeria's Niger Delta. The Ijaw Fisherman stands confidently in a moment of pause, holding fishes in each hand—a powerful symbol of provision and mastery of his trade.
He is sculpted bare-chested, dressed in shorts, a bag hung over one shoulder, and a calabash slung across the other—items of both practical use and cultural meaning. A band on his upper right arm and left wrist further emphasizes identity and individuality, denoting social status and spiritual protection.
Through careful detail and confident form, this relief elevates the daily labour of fishing to a symbol of cultural pride, resilience, and harmony with nature. The composition blends functionality with quiet nobility, allowing viewers to connect not just with the figure, but with the lifeways and values he represents.
This work is not simply a representation of a profession—it is a narrative of survival, environmental knowledge, and cultural memory in a region deeply shaped by water.
The items he carries—the fish, the bag, the calabash—are not just tools, they are part of who he is. I carved this figure to speak of dignity, simplicity, and connection—to water, to tradition, to identity. The sculpture is made of filler and elements of resins. It is a work of art made for decoration, research and study.