Carved “oracle” of the god Ifa.

Collection type: Object
Description: Carved “oracle” of the god Ifa.
Geographical reference: Nigeria
Africa > Western Africa > Nigeria
Cultural groups: Yoruba
Person: Field collector John Smalman Smith; PRM source Sarah Sophia Smalman Smith
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1913
Date collected: By 1913
Acquisition information: Donated: 1913
Materials and processes: Material Wood Plant, Process Carved, Process Incised
Dimensions: Length x Width: max 270 x 185 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1913.48.10
Research and responses: “Probably the most elaborate body of poetry is that of the Ifa oracle among the Yoruba. Even the most learned priest is not expected to know it all, and the recital of the most important parts takes a whole night. The poems are accompanied by stories that constitute the mythological or historical precedents by which the diviner judges his client's case.”
"African arts" Encyclopædia Britannica Online. http://search.eb.com/bol/topic?eu=119474&sctn=4 [Accessed 13 December 1999]. [JP 13/12/1999]
A priest perfoms the Ifa divination ritual, which involves recitals and offerings, represented here by the carved cocks. [HH 10/09/2008]

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