Pair of divination implements, Yoruba; Nigeria
Wood, iron, pigments; H. 11" / 12 1/4"
Divination among the Yoruba is the
domain of Ifa priests, known as Babalawo.
The complex rite of Yoruba divination unifies the
supplicant to the deity Orunmila, who knows
all people's destinies. The ceremony utilizes a
divination board and tapper, the sacred divination
chain, other ritual objects, and the vast body of
Ifa knowledge. Orunmila, according to Yoruba
thought, was in attendance when Oludumare,
the creator God, determined the future of all things.
Tappers such as these would have been used to "call
Orunmila" during a divination ceremony.
Divination tappers iconographically depict a dazzling
array of subjects related to Yoruba thought and
having didactic qualities. The tapper depicting
a female figure may be representational of all those
who come to learn of their destiny through Ifa divination.
The other example, depicting a monkey chewing on
an ear of corn, may refer to a Yoruba myth.
