Herbalist's staff "opa osanyin" ·  Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3051680

Description

iron, corroded, base

The Yoruba believe that the power of “osanyin”, the “orisha” (god) of medicine, is manifest in such wrought-iron sticks, the so-called “opa osanyin”. They traditionally consist of a circle of sixteen witch birds round a larger bird in the middle. This is interpreted both as “shopona” (god of infectious diseases) and as “Orunmila” (god of wisdom).

Priests and herbalists call on the help of “osanyin” to combat illnesses and other misfortunes, which are usually caused by malevolent forces (witches).

Comparing literature

Witte, Hans, A Closer Look, Berg en Dal 2004, p. 251, fig. 262