Beaded necklace "odigba ifa" ·  Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3049133

Description

fabric, polychrome glass beads, cord material,

The “odigba ifa”, an elaborate multistrand beaded necklace with two beaded pouches, marks the diviners “babalawo” as important leaders who are comparable to rulers.

The use of colorful glass beads adds luster to the divination session and underlines the high status diviners enjoy in Yoruba society.

In the beaded pouches “apo” at both ends are sewn certain substances for the protection and power of the “babalawo”.

Comparing literature

Drewal, Henry John & John Mason, Beads, Body and Soul, Los Angeles 1998, p. 234