Yoruba Shango religious wood dance wand (aka Oshe Shango.) Supplicant is a female kneeling while presenting an empty bowl in her lap.

Celt with soft upper corners emerges from her head. Ca. 1960s, acquired in 1988 from a trusted African associate in Chicago, IL

Shango is considered by his adherents to be the most powerful god in the religion from which he gets his name.

Believers say he materializes as fierce rain storms during which he expresses his anger by thrusting celt-like stones to the village. These are left behind when the storm subsides.

A non-believer credits this to rainfall washing away dirt that accumulates and obscures the stones before the storm comes.

The supplicant is bare-breasted and is offering a bowl that may contain a tribute or receive a blessing from Shango.

The breast area has been pixelated in this photo in order to not offend people for whom it might be a problem.
AGW538 22" tall.

If you are interested in indigenous art from tribes outside of those featured in these pages, click on these text links to view tribal art categories on other web sites:

American Indian pottery and Native baskets

Native American jewelry and carvings

Use your back browser to return the last previous page you have visited.