Oracle bowl "agere ifa" · Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3035927
not available anymore
Size
H: 18,5 cm
H: 7.3 inch
Description
wood, brown patina, remains of pigments, round base, carved with an antelope, min. dam., crack at the base, slight traces of abrasion;
the divination bowls serve for keeping the 16 holy 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.