Divination tray "opon ifa" · Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3035362
Description
wood, rich reddish brown patina, small traces of black paint, oval form with raised rim, carved in bas-relief: the face of “eshu” on top, accompanied by three quadruped and a lizard, the back of the tray is hollowed out to amplify the sound of the tapping, slightly dam., minor missing parts, traces of usage (marks from tapping with the “iroke ifa”);
the flat “ifa” trays always show a mask face at the rim, associated with “eshu”, who is looked upon as messenger of the deities, and who could not be avoided when asking the oracle. By using an elaborate carved tray, the priest honours “orunmila” the deity, to whom the appeal for prophecy is directed to. The “ifa” figures, lateron used for soothsaying, were marked within wood flour “iyerosun” (produced by termites) spread on the tray. The legend goes that “orunmila” was present at the creation of the world and therefore he is looked upon as omniscent. “Ifa” is the mediator, enabling men to communicate with the deity “orunmila”.