figure; standing human figure; carved, stained wood; 3 horizontal scarifications on each cheek; smock with short sleeves over pants; barefoot; V shaped plated hairdo, bald on one side; self base damaged. H: 35 cm.
Donor:
Berta Bascom
Collection place:
Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria
Verbatim coll. place:
Africa; Nigeria; Oyo; Yoruba
Culture or time period:
Yoruba
Collector:
Berta Bascom and William Russell Bascom
Collection date:
1951
Materials:
Wood (plant material)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Carvings (visual works)
Function:
5.1 Religion and Divination: Objects and garb associated with practices reflecting submission, devotion, obedience, and service to supernatural agencies
Context of use:
figurine represents the messenger of the 'Alafin' (chief or king) of Oyo. "The messengers were responsible for religious rituals performed within the palace and for representing the 'Oni' at the many religious festivals held at the shrines in town.
Department:
Africa (except Ancient Egypt)
Dimensions:
height 35 centimeters
Comment:
Ilari, messenger of the chief (alafin) of Oyo. Obtained from the messenger, Ilari. Halsted photo # 91.Slide. PAHMA Storage Loc: W-18-8