Yoruba Ogboni Shrine Figures PAIR, Nigeria #778

Yoruba Ogboni Shrine Figures PAIR, Nigeria #778Ogboni Shrine Figures PAIR, Nigeria #778 A fragmentary couple of large Ogboni Shrine Figures, Nigeria, Yoruba, Ijebu, or Owu Religion. According to the last owner it was once found in a well and not in the earth. "The style of works in metal and ivory is very different its completely different function." (The Art of Black Africa, translated by R. A. Wilson, the New York Graphic Society, New York, 1972, pp 174 176.) Measurements: Height, 104 cm 104 cm

• Ogboni Shrine Figures PAIR, Nigeria #778
• A fragmentary couple of large Ogboni Shrine Figures, Nigeria, Yoruba, Ijebu, or Owu Religion. 
• According to the last owner it was once found in a well and not in the earth.
• "The style of works in metal and ivory is very different...its completely different function." (The Art of Black Africa, translated by R.A. Wilson, the New York Graphic Society, New York, 1972, pp 174-176.)
• Measurements: Height, 104 cm / 104 cm
• Condition: Very Good
• Lit.: Leuzinger, Elsy, Kunst uit Afrika: Rond de Niger - De Machtige Rivier, The Hague: Haags Gemeentemuseum, 1971, no. L11. Leuzinger, Elsy, Kunsthaus Zürich: Die Kunst von Schwarz-Afrika, Zurich: Kunsthaus, 1970, pp. 178, no. L11. 
• Headed by the Oluwo (Chief Priest), the Yoruba Ogboni (meaning 'Cult of Old Age') is a Society of Respected Elderly Men and Women responsible for the management and wellbeing of their Community through the maintenance of Law and Order - often with the power to sentence criminals to death. They are also responsible for the selection and eventual burial of the Oba ('King') of the Village and even have the power to expel the King should the Group deem him unfit to rule.
  
• The Edan Ogboni (also called Edan Osugbo among the Ijebu and Egba of Yorubaland) is used by Ogboni Cult members as a Symbol of Membership but it is also believed to be the God Edan in physical form. When a new member joins the Cult, he or she is given an Edan to represent the Expectation of Secrecy from all Cult members; the Staff remains in the member's possession till death. When not in use, the staff is stored in the inner corners of the member's home (away from public view) and is always kept highly polished.
  
• NOTE: Smaller Edan Staffs (2-3 inches) are used as Amulets and can also carried by Ogboni members as a sign of membership to the Cult.
  
• Distinguishing Features:
  Styles vary between Regions of Yorubaland but all Edan Ogboni staffs fall under 3 main forms:
  Type 1: Heads mounted on staffs
  Type 2: Basic figures with rudimentary genitalia
  Type 3: Naturalistic representations of whole figures
  
• Common features among all Edan Ogboni figures:
  Figure made of brass over clay core (very early examples made of wood)
  Spike under figure made of iron
  Usually between 4 - 10 inches long
  Figures joined by a chain attached to heads
  Short iron rod under each figure (1 male, 1 female)
  Human figure often rendered nude
  Frontal pose: standing, seated, or kneeling
  Male & female genitalia exaggerated
  Each male figure carries object identified with Ogboni Rituals
  Executioner's club
  Staff of office
  Ceremonial fan
  Dish
  Wooden ladle
  Tobacco pipe
  
• When not carrying an object, depicted with Ogboni Sacred Symbol of left fist over right, thumbs hidden:
  Some figures place hands close to the mouth
  Female figure depicted holding a baby or holding onto her breasts
  Enlarged head
  Bulging forehead
  Some feature crescent motif (Osu) on forehead
  Some feature spiral or concentric circles on forehead
  Eyes can be one of the following:
  Split sphere
  Almond shaped set on edge and protruding obliquely on face
  Two flat centric circles
  Protruding, conical and ringed headdress
  
• Bibliography
  - 1. À YÀ GBÓ, À YÀ TÓ: NEW PERSPECTIVES ON EDAN ÒGBÓNI: BABATUNDE LAWAL
  - 2. PSYCHOPHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES OF THE OGBONI EDAN: L. E. ROACHE
  - 3. THE ICONOLOGY OF THE YORUBA "EDAN OGBONI": DENIS WILLIAMS