Sculptures of this sort adorn the altars of Yoruba gods known as Òrìṣà. The top of the chicken is a lid and the bottom a bowl. 

The kneeling position is a gesture of respect, devotion, and submission. When offered as a sacrifice the bird symbolizes honor and prosperity.  Thus, the containers in these objects were often in the form of a chicken (adie).

The hairstyle in this sculpture is called àgògó, which was, in the past, a typical hairstyle for Yoruba brides.  Today, it is peculiar to possession priests of the òrìṣà gods.