SKU: 8379216348

Yoruba Shango Staff, Nigeria

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Description

Yoruba Shango Staff, NigeriaYoruba Shango Staff, Nigeria A Yoruba Shango staff, Nigeria, a female figure posted on a columnar base, tapering, hanging breasts, a domed, stylized coiffure beneath an arrow like panel. Measurements: 42cm Condition: Fair; blackened patina, partly painted with white kaolin. This fine dance wand, or oshe, has superb patina and obvious age. Its contours have been rounded by handling, and the wood has developed a rich hue. It is carved as a supplicant

- Yoruba Shango Staff, Nigeria 

- A Yoruba Shango staff, Nigeria, a female figure posted on a columnar base, tapering, hanging breasts, a domed, stylized coiffure beneath an arrow-like panel.

- Measurements: 42cm

- Condition: Fair; blackened patina, partly painted with white kaolin.


This fine dance wand, or oshe, has superb patina and obvious age. Its contours have been rounded by handling, and the wood has developed a rich hue. It is carved as a supplicant female devotee of Shango, the Yoruba thunder deity. The depiction of a woman kneeling, lifting her breasts and having a baby strapped on her back is well known in Yoruba carving. It is a symbol of fertility and a gesture of greeting, offering and acceptance. Perhaps seen as naked and submissive to the Western eye, the form of the female is seen as gracious, generous and modest among the traditional Yoruba. The devotee is carved with an over-sized thunderbolt, edun ara, on her head. This aspect symbolises one’s destiny and burden. (The thunderbolt is a symbol of Shango.) Balancing the thunderbolt on one’s head is a metaphor for balancing the great power of Shango – the power that creates empires, but which also requires great care not to exceed its limits, which would bring about destruction.

The figure has bulging, semi-circular eyes; a flat nose with flared nostrils; and pursed lips, which is all suggestive of an Egbado provenance. The figure’s ears resemble angel’s wings. Her breasts are full and held forward. Three vertical scarifications (pélé) are incised on her forehead. Three horizontal scarifications (àbàjà) are incised on each cheek. The àbàjàs are more prominent than the pélés on the forehead. Overall, the female figure is almost symmetrical, except for the carving of the baby on her back.

Such a dance wands was carried by devotees at the annual festival of Shango and on other ritual occasions. During the Shango festival, devotees would dance in the streets to the thunderous rhythms of the bata drums. The dance wand would have presented a dramatic image when seen in the hand of a dancing devotee. It was waved in violent and threatening gestures to imitate the dangerous powers of Shango: unpredictable, violent, and creative and destructive – all at the same time. The Shango ritual would reach a climax when one of the devotees became possessed by Shango himself.

According to oral tradition, Shango was the fourth king of ancient Oyo Empire. He defeated the rivalrous Dahomey Kingdom. His army was famed for its skilful cavalry on the battlefield. However, Shango was also renowned for his unpredictable use of power, and his obsession with magic which often involved invoking thunder. He reigned for only seven years. His capital city Oyo-Ile and the royal family were destroyed by severe thunderstorms, apparently brought by his misuse of magical powers! He was devastated by the destruction of his family and his consequent humiliation by his chiefs. He left Oyo and committed suicide in Koso. However, thunderstorms continued to strike the Oyo Empire after his death. His chiefs built shrines and deified Shango to appease the thunderstorms.

The Yoruba is one of the largest tribes in West Africa. There are 30 million Yoruba people in West Africa, predominantly in Nigeria. The Egbado are one of the many tribes that make up the Yoruba culture. The Egbado are found mostly in the south-western areas of Yorubaland, where the ancient Oyo Empire was founded. Igan Okoto has the biggest population of the Egbado people.

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SKU: 8379216348

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Jerri Cox
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 4
Thorough and Gentle
Size: 30 Count (Pack of 4)
Not super moist, but they are soft and do their job. I only use wipes if I’m in a pinch to get my makeup off and don’t have my usual face wash. I’m very satisfied with each type of wipe included in the bundle.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2025
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Sara Rakestraw
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
Great product
Size: 30 Count (Pack of 4)
Only just received, so I haven't had the chance to test them. So far they are compatible with my skin and easy to use.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2026
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Grammie in Jammies Amazon Steals & Deals
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 3
Buyer beware. For your sake read my review please.
Size: 30 Count (Pack of 4)
I loved the smell which can be kind off setting especially if unscented. However the love kind of stopped there. The size of the wipe it self was not much than one of those wipes you get at the BBQ store with dinner. I do not wear foundation or heavy makeup however I had to use 3 wipes each time before I felt my skin was clean. I was excited to have the different issues of my skin dealt with as far as anti-aging, pore refining etc but there was not a single bit of difference between the wipes other than the scent which again was very spa like and pleasant. Easy to like. Small wipe. Need several. By the time you add up the added cost of the extra towels each day and I could have purchased a much higher quality product. I don't forget to look at reviews very often, but this time they sounded so positive and I went ahead and purchased. Sorry I ever did but glad I didn't order two or three due to the sale on them.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2026
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Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Great for sensitive skin!
Size: 30 Count (Pack of 4)
Works really well. No burn. I have very sensitive skin and these have been great. Not overpowering.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2026
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SLR
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
Very nice product
Size: 30 Count (Pack of 4)
I absolutely love these facial wipes. I used the Pore Refining pack first and noticed a change in my pores after about a week of use. I'm over 60 and as we age our pores start to get a little bigger and this wipe closed them up. I'm very pleased with this facial wipe. They are small, so I use a different facial wipe to get make up off then use the Pore Refining wipe to go over my face again. I haven't used the other three types of wipes you get in this 4-pack, but look forward to see any results from them.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2026

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