Minneapolis Institute of Art

Diviner's Staff

Yoruba artist

Date

20th century

Medium

Iron

Culture

Yoruba

Department

Arts of Global Africa

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Among Yoruba people an iron staff topped by birds signals the presence of an herbalist or diviner. Such staffs might be placed outside the diviner's home, or activated for use in ceremonies. The birds connect the staff to Osanyin, the god of herbalism, and also to dangerous spirits whose power the diviner must control and direct on behalf of his clients. Nigeria, Africa

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