Oracle board "opon ifa" · Nigeria, Yoruba, Oyo · ID: 3042663
Kegel-Konietzko, Hamburg, Germany
Heinz Kolerski, Fellbach, Germany
Description
wood, brown patina, remains of pigments, raised rim, carved in bas-relief, the back of the tray is hollowed out to amplify the sound of the tapping, handwritten collection number on the backside, min. dam., minor missing parts, cracks, traces of usage., rest.
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”.
Publications
AHDRC: 0147191