Uli, also known as Uri in parts of Igboland, is a social form of body and mural art that is largely practised by Igbo women in southern Nigeria. It is one of many artistic practises, and my mother would tell us stories about it. Its name comes from the trees whose fruit or pod is used to e
Uli has a dynamism and beauty with deep connections to womanhood, spirit, community and nature. The images are abstract, geometric and pictorial. There are thousands of motifs and symbols many inspired by natural forms. The medium is used to beautify as well as transfer stories and communicate ways of being. The sharp colours, lines and curves have a joyful energy. The negative space ohere is a part of the story.
It is said that the Earth Goddess Ala/ Ana/Ani blessed women with the ability to make art and create beauty. She also made women the mediators of moral conscience, so conflicts in Igbo culture are settled by women. Uli literally shows this, when an argument is resolved the woman who resolved the argument paints lines down the other’s body. The first Uli artist in Igbo (Nimo) tradition was Asele. Her skill was such that she outclassed all other artists. Because of the interconnectedness of life on earth and life beyond, she also got to the land of the spirits where she created art and emerged as the best artist of all time.
Uli is not seen as sacred rather the aim is to beautify the person or building and achieve a pleasing aesthetic. Igbo people refer to visual art as ife nkili meaning something to be looked at for pleasure. And artists often say icho mma which means to search for beauty, to decorate. The Igbo idea of a good life is that it is not enough to merely exist, one must fulfil one’s potential and expectations.
The uli artist responds to the young woman’s body to create the design. Her focus is on enhancing her beauty, well-being, health, and sexual attractiveness. For example, joints are emphasised to show her strength. The wearers movements are said to in turn show the beauty of the uli. “She puts one Kobe of pomade on her body, but it does not have any effect on her body. She buys Ngalolu (skin lightener, she pours it on her body, it spoils her beauty- like one who is going to be marry. She goes to Ǹkwọ, she buys one kobo of Uli, she puts it on her body, her body becomes her body”.
