Ritual stool

Description

light wood, greyish brown patina, small remains of polychrome paint, the round seat is supported by six big figures, arranged in a circle, three of them are female holding a bell, a vessel or a snake in their hands, a seated smaller figure is placed in the middle of the front side and the place vis-à-vis is left free, which is why the figure is especially accentuated, rich ornament, the seated posture and the kola nut in the left hand prove her to be of great importance, dam., missing parts (four forearms, part of the base, nailheads as eyes), rest. (base, seat, headcrest of the female with snake;
judging by the snake round the neck of the standing woman, this stool was used during initiations in the cult of the rainbow snake “oshumare”, the cosmic serpent that brings prosperity and good luck. Initiates sit on them while a magic substance is rubbed into their scalps so that the deity can take possession of them.