Laba Shango; "Thunder wallet". decorated leather bag with full length overflap. overflap decorated with red fabric ground over which 4 square medallions decorated with fabrics and stitchery. bottom finished with 7 triangular pendants to which leather fringe is attached, 12 bead-like decorations of fabric and leather in groups of 3 (red/white/red) decorate the base and sides. inside is a poket the length of the bag appliqued with two rectangular medallions each decorated with inset fabric and stitchery. a leather tassel finishes each corner. the bag has a long strap for carrying over the shoulder. Conservation: Leather very dry and brittle, some insect damage to fabrics, dirty.
Donor:
Berta Bascom
Collection place:
Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria
Verbatim coll. place:
N. Africa, Nigeria, Oyo, Yoruba
Culture or time period:
Yoruba
Collector:
Berta Bascom and William Russell Bascom
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Wallets
Function:
2.2 Personal Adornments and Accoutrements
Accession date:
June 23, 2004
Context of use:
Used to contain thunderbolts, i.e. neolitihic celts and sacred gourd rattles which are shaken while prayers are addressed to Shango. Worn by priests or hung on Shango shrine when not being worn.
Department:
Africa (except Ancient Egypt)
Dimensions:
strap— length 110 centimeters, length 47 centimeters, tassels and fringe— length 25 centimeters, and width 44 centimeters