Dance Staff
Yoruba
Description
Subject Matter:
Like many other objects related to various Yoruba orisas or gods, the figure in this staff, called oshe Shango, is not the orisa but a depiction of one of his followers. The god of thunder and lightning, Shango was an ancient king of the Yoruba kingdom of Oyo. The double axe shape at the top of the staff represented neolithic stone celts, thought to be thunderstones hurled to earth by Shango during storms. Zig-zag patterns were also associated with Shango, found on the handle of this staff. The double faces on each side may represent twins, as Shango is also known as Baba Ibeji, the father of twins. When not used by a priest or priestess of Shango, who carried the staff in dances during ceremonial events, it would have remained at the shrine for powerful but paradoxical orisa. Thunderstorms, thought to be caused by Shango, brought necessary rain as well as destructive lightning and wind.
References Cited:
Drewal, Henry John, John Pemberton and Rowland O. Abiodun. 1989. Yoruba: Nine Centuries of African Art and Thought. New York: Center for African Art.
Lawal, Babatunde. 2012. Visions of Africa: Yoruba. Milan: 5 Continents Editions.
Thompson, Robert Farris. 1983. Flash of the Spirit: African and Afro-American Art and Philosophy. New York: Random House.
Physical Description:
Staff with a cylindrical handle, decorated with zig-zag patterns, and a disc-shaped grip at the bottom. The top of the staff has two identical faces on both sides, surmounted by a double axe shaped form.
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