Woyingi
Woyingi (Nana Owei) - Definition: Our mother, she who made us
The Ijaw creation mythology places the origin of humanity at the feet of Woyingi. Woyingi is described as a beautiful and powerful god majestically perched on a mound of earth on top of a large table in the middle of a field at the beginning of time. Her feet rested on the creation stone and she took the earth and from it sculptured human beings; her breath creating life.
Woyingi is the goddess of creation for the Ijaw people of Southern Nigeria. Although today many Ijaw are Christians, we continue to refer to God as Woyingi or Nana Owei. Ironically we pray to God our father but we call him mother.
The Nigerian Encounter, World Gallery
June 2018 - June 2028
Horniman Museum & Gardens, London, UK
Woyingi was commissioned by The Horniman Museum, London.
Curator: Johanna Zetterstrom-Sharp
Photography: Jatin Gorg