Yoruba
Federal Republic of NigeriaOsanyin Staff, n.d.
Not on view
Iron
Dimensions25 1/4 x 8 1/2 x 9 1/2 in.
Museum purchase with funds from the Collection Endowment, 2018.71
Yoruba herbalists and priests enlist the aid of Osanyin, the spirit of herbal medicines, or Opa Erinie, in their work against mental and physical illness caused by malevolent forces and individuals. The Yoruba believe the power of Osanyin is vested in a wrought-iron staff that is placed on altars to this Orisha. The staff is composed of a circle of small birds and a shaft in the middle that elevates a large bird above the smaller ones. Birds are emissaries of Ogun and refer to the herbalist’s understanding of and power over these malevolent people. There are typically 16 birds, invoking the most sacred number of divination.
