Ceremonial staff "opa orisa oko" · Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3047950
not available anymore
Size
L: 152 cm
L: 59.8 inch
Description
metal, wood, glass beads,
These sacred staffs are dedicated to the agricultural deity “oko”. They are referred to as the “staff” or “walking stick” of the deity.
They were made exclusively by the blacksmiths of Irawo, as only they had the secret knowledge necessary to create these sacred emblems.
When not in use, they were kept in precious beaded sheaths “ewu” and placed at shrines.
Comparing literature
Drewal, Henry John & John Pemberton, Yoruba, New York 1989, p. 169, ill. 187