Opon Ifa, Divination Tray
The heart of Yoruba religion is Ifa, the Yoruba deity of divination who solves problems, provides comfort, and explains the ways of the gods. Individuals take direction and consolation from the Ifa diviner known as Babalawo, whom they have consulted to resolve a particular problem. The Babalawo has a set of ritual objects that are necessary for him to seek guidance from the gods and the Opon Ifa or divination tray is the most prominent. The flat center section is encircled by a number of Yoruba symbols reflecting deities as well as scenes taken from Yoruba life. The face of Eshu is placed at the top to carry the message to the gods and to lend his force to the divination. The diviner would cast cola nuts and read them as they fall and make a series of marks in a thin layer of sand placed in the round center section of the tray. No photographer credited, undated.
Size: 4500px × 2804px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: africa, african, art, artwork, babalawo, benin, beninese, carved, carving, deity, divination, diviner, eshu, esu, historic, historical, history, ifa, mysticism, nigeria, nigerian, occult, occultism, opon, people, pseudo-science, pseudoscience, religion, religious, ritual, symbolic, symbols, togo, togolese, tray, west, yoruba, yorubaland
