Ceremonial staff

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Description

wood, iron, leather, head piece flanked by two standing female figures and fit with numerous iron objects, above all crescent-shaped blades, which are symbol for the divinity “hevioso”, entirely covered by strong encrusted sacrificial patina, remains of kaolin and indigo blue pigment in some places, traces of corrosion, base.
“Hevioso” is the ruler of thunder and lightning. He stands in a positive sense for rain, which brings a good harvest, as well as in the negative sense, as lightning strikes can destroy crops. At the same time, he is the god of justice. He punishes criminals and in the worst cases kills them with a deadly flash.

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Comparing literature

Skulpturenmuseum Glaskasten Marl (Hg.), Skulpturen und Objekte aus der Region des Königreiches Dahomey, Marl 2008, p. 61

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