Jagunjagun (I)

Jagunjagun simply means a warrior. The piece is part of the series of equestrian statues by Lamidi Fakeye depicting a mounted horse hunter-warrior with a gun on his right hand. The artist shows his high level of mastery in the expression of the formal compositions of this sculpture. The saddle is spread across the horse’s back and is curved in a U-shape, providing an anchor for the standing rider’s servant at the back and a surface for the artist to display the rather large horse ears. One sees Fakeye’s great attention to detail in his ability to capture the basic features of a typical horse tack including the halter, stirrup, saddle, bit, bridle and the rein controlled by the rider. A bird can be noticed with its beak pointing down on the rider’s head. The general surface ornamentation of the forms is filled with intricate lines and patterns for aesthetic appreciation.

The equestrian statue is very symbolic in the depiction of an Oba and his ase, inner strength as a ruler in traditional Yoruba mythology. Thus, it is synonymous with royal court art of the Yoruba people and is commonly found as verandah posts in palaces. It is also significant in traditional worship and is commonly found in local shrines of the people.