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Thorn Carving

MOA: University of British Columbia

3326/31

Thorn carving depicting a firing squad execution scene (part a). Figures adhered to a rectangular particle board base. Along one edge are four military figures in army fatigues (layered wood chips) armed with large guns - one figure detached and detached head. Opposite are four condemned figures who are each tied to a post and blindfolded. The inscription on the base reads: "Bar Beach, Lagos, Nigeria. 25 May 1971. Public execution televised throughout federation."

  • History Of Use

    Thorn carvings are miniatures depicting scenes from Nigerian life. Carving in this particular manner, however, began circa 1930. Similar to a tableau vivant, thorn carvings are meant to preserve moments in both time and space. Thorns vary in size: they can be as large as 12.7 cm long and 9.6 cm wide. The wood is comparatively soft and easily carved. The light yellow-brown thorn and the dark brown thorn come from the Ata tree; the light brown thorn comes from Egun trees. The parts are glued together with a viscous paste made from rice cooked with water. They are carved by men.

  • Narrative

    Bar Beach was one of the most popular beaches in Nigeria. After independence in 1960 the country fell under the dictatorship of a military junta (1966 to 1979, and again 1983 to 1999). After the 30-month civil war that ended in 1970, Bar Beach was the location of the many executions that became commonplace from the early 1970s to the late 1980s, in response to a sudden “surge in crime.” These were public events with thousands of spectators, and were also televised nationally.

  • Type of Item carving
  • Culture Yoruba
  • Material atum thorn, egun thorn, adhesive, wood, fibre
  • Measurements height 10.4 cm, width 18.3 cm, depth 12.2 cm (overall)
  • Previous Owner Jack Lieber, Iris Lieber
  • Received from Iris Lieber
  • Made in Ibadan
  • Creation Date on May 5, 1971
  • Ownership Date before 2015, before June 18, 2018
  • Acquisition Date on June 18, 2018
  • Item Classes carvings & sculpture
  • Condition fair
  • Accession Number 3326/0031

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