Ritual staff for the "shango" cult

Description

wood, strongly encrusted patina, base

With such dance wands in their hands, the followers of the mighty thunder god “shango” participated in dances, processions, and rites in honor of their god.

Although prone to destruction, “shango” is also believed to be a generous, life giving god. The motif of the double-bladed axe “opa”, which characteristically crowns every “shango” staff, is supposed to symbolise these two contradictory qualities of the deity.

The kneeling female figure represents a follower of the “shango” cult. Her imposing breasts refer to the life-giving powers of women.