Diviner’s Staff
Yoruba
Description
Subject Matter:
Wrought-iron staffs such as this one, called opa osun, would have been an important possession of a Yoruba diviner (called babalawo) for Ifa, the process of divination. The staff acted as both an altar to Orunmila, the god of divination, as well as a symbol of office for the diviner during public events. The three clusters along the length of the staff are bells that would have rattled when used as a walking stick. The birds may represent pigeons, considered agile and dignified by Yoruba peoples. Birds were also found on the regalia of Yoruba monarchs, often seen as a symbol of the power of women in Yoruba society. That the staff remain upright was necessary to receive blessings from Orunmila; it could also be seen that the diviner must be an upright person, as he or she would be responsible for the social and spiritual welfare of the community.
References Cited:
Lawal, Babatunde. 2012. Visions of Africa: Yoruba. Milan: 5 Contintents Editions.
Drewal, Henry John, John Pemberton, and Rowland O. Abiodun. 1989.Yoruba: Nine Centuries of African Art and Thought. New York: Center for African Art.
Physical Description:
Iron staff with 3 sets of 4 bells along the length, with two leaf-like protrusions near the middle. At the top are 7 birds in a circle surmounted by one large bird.
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