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Dimitri André

Ifa divination board, Yoruba people, Nigeria
Wood
Age: 40s-50s
Provenance: collection Alan Donovan, Los Angeles, USA
Soft "soapy" patina

The most essential implements of a Yoruba babalawo, or diviner, are his tray ("opon Ifa") and his tapper ("iroke Ifa"). To initiate a divination session, the babalawo sprinkles wood powder over the smooth inner surface of the tray and strikes the point of the tapper several times against it to invoke Orunmila, the Yoruba god of fate. As the sacred palm nuts are cast, the diviner records the results by marking the powder with his tapper. These markings reveal the proper chants to be recited. The more visually appealing the diviner’s tools, the more pleasing they are to Orunmila, and thus more effective in addressing the appeals of both the diviner and the client.

The face carved on this tray's rim portrays Esu, the messenger who bears sacrifices to the gods and oversees the divination ritual.


Mid 20th century - Wood - Good condition

Ifa divination tray - Opon Ifa - Yoruba - Nigeria

African & Tribal Art

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Ifa divination tray - Opon Ifa - Yoruba - Nigeria

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