Oracle bowl "agere ifa"
Nigeria, Yoruba
sold
EUR 600
Size
H: 12,5 cm
H: 4.9 inch
Description
wood, encrusted dark brown patina, with two zoomorphical carved struts in shape of catfish, rising from a circular base, min. dam., cracks, traces of insect caused damage;
the divination bowls serve for keeping the 16 holy palm nuts (“ikin”), which are used for the questioning of the oracle. During the prophecy, the “babalawo” (priest) spreads the “opon ifa” with flour, throws the palm nuts on the board and generates the oracle from the lines drawn on the plate. The “ifa” oracle is used in whole Yoruba country and similar soothsaying systems are known all over West Africa.