SKU: 8379216348

Yoruba Shango Staff, Nigeria

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Description

Yoruba Shango Staff, NigeriaYoruba Shango Staff, Nigeria A Yoruba Shango staff, Nigeria, a female figure posted on a columnar base, tapering, hanging breasts, a domed, stylized coiffure beneath an arrow like panel. Measurements: 42cm Condition: Fair; blackened patina, partly painted with white kaolin. This fine dance wand, or oshe, has superb patina and obvious age. Its contours have been rounded by handling, and the wood has developed a rich hue. It is carved as a supplicant

- Yoruba Shango Staff, Nigeria 

- A Yoruba Shango staff, Nigeria, a female figure posted on a columnar base, tapering, hanging breasts, a domed, stylized coiffure beneath an arrow-like panel.

- Measurements: 42cm

- Condition: Fair; blackened patina, partly painted with white kaolin.


This fine dance wand, or oshe, has superb patina and obvious age. Its contours have been rounded by handling, and the wood has developed a rich hue. It is carved as a supplicant female devotee of Shango, the Yoruba thunder deity. The depiction of a woman kneeling, lifting her breasts and having a baby strapped on her back is well known in Yoruba carving. It is a symbol of fertility and a gesture of greeting, offering and acceptance. Perhaps seen as naked and submissive to the Western eye, the form of the female is seen as gracious, generous and modest among the traditional Yoruba. The devotee is carved with an over-sized thunderbolt, edun ara, on her head. This aspect symbolises one’s destiny and burden. (The thunderbolt is a symbol of Shango.) Balancing the thunderbolt on one’s head is a metaphor for balancing the great power of Shango – the power that creates empires, but which also requires great care not to exceed its limits, which would bring about destruction.

The figure has bulging, semi-circular eyes; a flat nose with flared nostrils; and pursed lips, which is all suggestive of an Egbado provenance. The figure’s ears resemble angel’s wings. Her breasts are full and held forward. Three vertical scarifications (pélé) are incised on her forehead. Three horizontal scarifications (àbàjà) are incised on each cheek. The àbàjàs are more prominent than the pélés on the forehead. Overall, the female figure is almost symmetrical, except for the carving of the baby on her back.

Such a dance wands was carried by devotees at the annual festival of Shango and on other ritual occasions. During the Shango festival, devotees would dance in the streets to the thunderous rhythms of the bata drums. The dance wand would have presented a dramatic image when seen in the hand of a dancing devotee. It was waved in violent and threatening gestures to imitate the dangerous powers of Shango: unpredictable, violent, and creative and destructive – all at the same time. The Shango ritual would reach a climax when one of the devotees became possessed by Shango himself.

According to oral tradition, Shango was the fourth king of ancient Oyo Empire. He defeated the rivalrous Dahomey Kingdom. His army was famed for its skilful cavalry on the battlefield. However, Shango was also renowned for his unpredictable use of power, and his obsession with magic which often involved invoking thunder. He reigned for only seven years. His capital city Oyo-Ile and the royal family were destroyed by severe thunderstorms, apparently brought by his misuse of magical powers! He was devastated by the destruction of his family and his consequent humiliation by his chiefs. He left Oyo and committed suicide in Koso. However, thunderstorms continued to strike the Oyo Empire after his death. His chiefs built shrines and deified Shango to appease the thunderstorms.

The Yoruba is one of the largest tribes in West Africa. There are 30 million Yoruba people in West Africa, predominantly in Nigeria. The Egbado are one of the many tribes that make up the Yoruba culture. The Egbado are found mostly in the south-western areas of Yorubaland, where the ancient Oyo Empire was founded. Igan Okoto has the biggest population of the Egbado people.

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SKU: 8379216348

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Toya (the reading chemist)
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 4
Trans, sapphic vampires?! YES PLEASE!
Format: Kindle
Before I just go recommending this book to everyone, please be in mind that there is misgendering, deadnaming, and slurs pertaining to transgendered people in the book. The author is a trans woman, so all of these instances are addressed on page. I am a lover of all things vampire, and when my kindle recommended this trans, sapphic romance, I couldn't hit the buy button fast enough. Miyako is a trans woman who wants more to life since coming out as trans. The two joys in her life are Luna (her best friend) and River (her sister). Miyako begrudgingly accompanies Luna to see her favorite band, but she doesn't expect to meet actual vampires who agree to turn both her and Luna. After Miyako is turned, she finds herself in a body that finally reflects the way that she has always felt, a burgeoning crush on a gorgeous vampire who hates her, and other lingering dangerous that she didn't anticipate. I freaking loved Miyako. Miyako has always been so sure of herself and her identity regardless of what others think of her, including her trash ass parents that deserve to burn in the pits of hell (sorry not sorry). Miyako also will do any and everything to protect those she loves, which includes protecting her sister River from the bigoted and trashy parents. Found family is the central theme of this book. Once you are turned, you are immediately accepted into the coven of Hell's Redemption, they do ANYHTHING for their own including providing a place to live and protection. I loved seeing this, and this is so important for queer folks who would otherwise have no support system. While this book does have several romantic pairings and soulmates is a big theme as well, the intimate scenes are fade to black, which works for this book (in my opinion). I can't wait for the next book, so I can get more of these amazing characters!
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Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2024
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Kindle Customer
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
Sure hope there's a sequel
Format: Kindle
This books was lots of fun, with characters to love and hate, though the awful characters aren't around much, thank goodness. The world building is really good, but there's so much more to learn that I hope there's another book in the works.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2023
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We3Kings
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 5
Freaking Fantastic!!
Format: Kindle
First book like this I have read and I am hopping for the next to be soon! An amazing read and one personally I wouldn’t mind seeing as a movie!
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Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2024
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Albert Matt
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Amazing and Great
Format: Kindle
I love this book so much it's amazing and wonderful! I can't wait for more!
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Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2024
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Juniper Sanchez
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Amazing!
Format: Kindle
This book has everything, friendship, love, hot women, trans euphoria. I absolutely loved it!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2024

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