Dance staff "oshe shango" ·  Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3033368

Description

wood, brown patina, traces of black and red paint, spool-shaped handle, crowned by a standing male figure with high towering coiffure and double axe symbol on top, two goats as accompanying figures, drilled pupils, the facial features rubbed off, handwritten collection number backside “1680”, slightly dam., missing parts at the back of the base, cracks, paint rubbed off;
such dance staffs were used likewise by men and women during “shango” celebrations. Their characteristic feature is the double axe symbol. “Shango” is associated with fertilizing rain, he is said to be truth-loving and should punish liars and thieves.