Ritual staff "opa orere" or "opa osun" · Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3045093
sold
EUR 500
Provenance
René David, Zurich, SwitzerlandRoland Hartmann, St. Gallen, Switzerland
Size
H: 120,5 cm
H: 47.4 inch
Description
iron, acrylic base
The “opa osun” is used by Yoruba “babalawos” (diviners) as a symbol of office but also as an altar to the divination god “Orunmila”.
When not in use, the staff is stuck into the ground in front of the “babalawo’s” house to protect him while he sleeps.
Comparing literature
Eisenhofer, Stefan (Hg.), Kulte, Künstler, Könige in Afrika, Linz 1997, p. 230 ff.