African Arts Gallery

Yoruba figure (N° 22451)

This sculpture of African tribal art is believed, for the Yoruba of Nigeria, to facilitate communication with the sacred.
Locally flaking crusty polychrome patina, desiccation cracks.
The Yoruba, more than 20 million, occupy southwestern Nigeria and the central and southeastern region of Benin under the name of Nago. The kingdoms of Oyo and Ijebu arose following the disappearance of the Ifé civilization and are still the basis of the political structure of the Yoruba . The Oyo created two cults centered on the still active Egungun and Sango societies, which worshiped a pantheon of gods, the Orisa< /i> , through ceremonies using masks, statuettes, scepters and divination supports. The slave trade helped spread Yoruba beliefs across continents.