A YORUBA OSHE SHANGO DANCE STAFF

Provenance: Philip Goldman, London

Among the objects used to honor the Yoruba god of thunder, Shango, is the oshe Shango, or dance wand. It is carried by Shango priests and devotees during public worship activities and enshrined on the deity's altar. The female figure depicted on most oshe Shango is a devotee or priestess whose head supports the double axe. The priestesses or female supplicants represent Shango's benevolence as he bestows the blessing of children upon his faithful worshippers and protects children(Ibeji).

Yoruba people, Nigeria
Wood,

Price:  €  1.500,-