Herbalists staff "opa osanyin" ·  Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3037008

Description

staff of wrought iron, spear-shaped tip, crowned by a stylized bird, a circle of 16 smaller birds below, min. dam., traces of corrosion;
the staff is planted in the ground at the entrance to an “osanyin” priests compound to ward off nocturnal attacks by witches. “Orunmila” is represented by the big bird on top of the staff.

Comparing literature

Witte, Hans, A Closer Look, Berg en Dal 2004, p. 251 f.