Friction oracle "iwa"
D. R. Congo, Azande
sold
EUR 1,700
Provenance
Alex Arthur, Brussels, BelgiumZemanek-Münster, Würzburg, 31 October 2015, Lot 417
Kellim Brown, Brussels, Belgium
Size
H: 12 cm
L: 22,5 cm
H: 4.7 inch
L: 8.9 inch
Description
wood, two-piece, pigment, remains of an old collection label
Rituals of divination can be found in all African cultures.
According to Evans-Prichard the Azande use the friction oracle “iwa” to find out if witchcraft is being practiced against them or to determine whether to proceed with a journey.
Comparing literature
Evans-Pritchard, E. E., Witchcraft, Oracles, and Magic among the Azande, Oxford 1937, pp 258 ff. LaGamma, Alisa, Art and Oracle, New York 2000, p. 11, Fig. 1Publications
AHDRC: 0127159