Itwomba, 19th-20th century, 10 1/4 x 2 7/8 x 3 3/8 in. ( x x cm) (elephant), Wood, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 19th-20th century, Itwomba are used in special divination rites to identify witches, thieves and adulterers, and to ascertain the cause of an illness or death. A diviner places a drop of oil or other liquid on the smooth, flat surface of the itwomba's back. He then proceeds to rub a small conical disc back and forth over the oil while chanting a sequence of names and formulas. When the disc sticks to the surface, the name that was spoken at that instant is the answer

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