Oracle board "opon ifa" and oracle tapper "iroke ifa" ·  Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3040879

Description

wood, middle brown patina, white pigment, black paint, oracle board of round shape, raised rim carved with animals (mudfish, crocodile, snake) and dignitary with long-stemmed pipe, slightly dam., traces of usage and spots; oracle tapper crowned by kneeling female figure, tip dam.; traditional Yoruba divination (“ifa”) is practiced not only to explain misfortunes, but also to help prevent them. The tapper “iroke ifa” is used to gain the attention of the deity “orunmila” at the beginning of the session. The “ifa” figures, lateron used for soothsaying, were marked with wood flour “iyerosun” (produced by termites) spread on the tray.