African wooden spoon

Just picked this up. Im pretty sure it's African by the looks of it and some sort of ceremonial spoon. It's about 30cm long.

 

Similar objects made by the Igbo/Ibo of Nigeria are described as a chalk spoon/tray/palette - "okwa nzu". These were used to hold white chalk (nzu), important in various ritual practices.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMS4pM5lSUW/

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1970-03-1

https://www.dorotheum.com/en/l/1106725/

Here are a couple of articles discussing the symbolism of white chalk in Igbo culture -

https://re-entanglements.net/chalk/#:~:text=In Igbo it is nzu,It is a sacred substance.

https://www.obafemio.com/uploads/5/1/4/2/5142021/chalkiconographyinolokunworship.pdf

 

Thanks for the links

 

okay I would preface this by saying I am not an expert. but my sister lived all over the world including seven years in Africa and I have a number of pieces hand carried back by her and some even give them to her by African Chiefs rather than purchased in a tourist market. it looks to me like a tourist piece and I say that mostly because there appears to be absolutely no wear. anything used in ceremonies would be worn and damaged. utilitarian objects were USED, not cared for and cherished so anything that looks this new is probably made for the tourist market. but you have to be careful, fakers have a way of making things look old.

 

Thanks for the info. Appreciated.