Bell "omo" of the "ogboni" society ·  Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3037612

Description

bronze, pyramidal form, head with “ogboni” tattoo on the front side, ornamental decor, loop-like handle, complete with clapper, min. dam., slight traces of corrosion;
such bells were used for ritual purposes, probably to get into contact with the ancestors. In pre-colonial times “ogboni” society had not only religious, but political and jurisdictional functions as well. With the founding of the “Reformed Ogboni Fraternity " in 1914 the old rites of the “ogboni” Society lost their meaning.

The object Bell “omo” of the “ogboni” society with the object ID 3037612 was last part of the auction 78th tribal art auction at October 18, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 379.

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Publications

Eisenhofer, Stefan (Hg.), Kulte, Künstler, Könige in Afrika, Linz 1997, p. 224, ill. III/3.14