Bâton "ogo elegba" · Nigéria, Yoruba, Oshogbo · ID: 3051719
Vendu
3 200 €
Provenance
René Rasmussen (1912-1979), Paris, France (ca. 1950)German Private Collection, Munich
Description
wood, pigments, cowry shells, base
Male priests of the “eshu” cult carry “ogo elegba” over their left shoulder (Wescott 1962). Typical for “eshu” is the hairstyle in the form of a phallic plait. The lavish cowrie shell strings on this staff may indicate that “eshu” brings wealth.
“Eshu” (also called “elegba”) embodies the most complex deity in the Yoruba pantheon of gods. He is considered to have an ambivalent and contradictory personality. Though known as a mischief-maker and agent provocateur, “eshu” ultimately works to promote order and harmony. “Eshu” teaches wisdom, reminding people to look at the world from more than one point of view.
Publications
AHDRC: 0101870