SKU: 8379216348

Yoruba Shango Staff, Nigeria

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Description

Yoruba Shango Staff, NigeriaYoruba Shango Staff, Nigeria A Yoruba Shango staff, Nigeria, a female figure posted on a columnar base, tapering, hanging breasts, a domed, stylized coiffure beneath an arrow like panel. Measurements: 42cm Condition: Fair; blackened patina, partly painted with white kaolin. This fine dance wand, or oshe, has superb patina and obvious age. Its contours have been rounded by handling, and the wood has developed a rich hue. It is carved as a supplicant

- Yoruba Shango Staff, Nigeria 

- A Yoruba Shango staff, Nigeria, a female figure posted on a columnar base, tapering, hanging breasts, a domed, stylized coiffure beneath an arrow-like panel.

- Measurements: 42cm

- Condition: Fair; blackened patina, partly painted with white kaolin.


This fine dance wand, or oshe, has superb patina and obvious age. Its contours have been rounded by handling, and the wood has developed a rich hue. It is carved as a supplicant female devotee of Shango, the Yoruba thunder deity. The depiction of a woman kneeling, lifting her breasts and having a baby strapped on her back is well known in Yoruba carving. It is a symbol of fertility and a gesture of greeting, offering and acceptance. Perhaps seen as naked and submissive to the Western eye, the form of the female is seen as gracious, generous and modest among the traditional Yoruba. The devotee is carved with an over-sized thunderbolt, edun ara, on her head. This aspect symbolises one’s destiny and burden. (The thunderbolt is a symbol of Shango.) Balancing the thunderbolt on one’s head is a metaphor for balancing the great power of Shango – the power that creates empires, but which also requires great care not to exceed its limits, which would bring about destruction.

The figure has bulging, semi-circular eyes; a flat nose with flared nostrils; and pursed lips, which is all suggestive of an Egbado provenance. The figure’s ears resemble angel’s wings. Her breasts are full and held forward. Three vertical scarifications (pélé) are incised on her forehead. Three horizontal scarifications (àbàjà) are incised on each cheek. The àbàjàs are more prominent than the pélés on the forehead. Overall, the female figure is almost symmetrical, except for the carving of the baby on her back.

Such a dance wands was carried by devotees at the annual festival of Shango and on other ritual occasions. During the Shango festival, devotees would dance in the streets to the thunderous rhythms of the bata drums. The dance wand would have presented a dramatic image when seen in the hand of a dancing devotee. It was waved in violent and threatening gestures to imitate the dangerous powers of Shango: unpredictable, violent, and creative and destructive – all at the same time. The Shango ritual would reach a climax when one of the devotees became possessed by Shango himself.

According to oral tradition, Shango was the fourth king of ancient Oyo Empire. He defeated the rivalrous Dahomey Kingdom. His army was famed for its skilful cavalry on the battlefield. However, Shango was also renowned for his unpredictable use of power, and his obsession with magic which often involved invoking thunder. He reigned for only seven years. His capital city Oyo-Ile and the royal family were destroyed by severe thunderstorms, apparently brought by his misuse of magical powers! He was devastated by the destruction of his family and his consequent humiliation by his chiefs. He left Oyo and committed suicide in Koso. However, thunderstorms continued to strike the Oyo Empire after his death. His chiefs built shrines and deified Shango to appease the thunderstorms.

The Yoruba is one of the largest tribes in West Africa. There are 30 million Yoruba people in West Africa, predominantly in Nigeria. The Egbado are one of the many tribes that make up the Yoruba culture. The Egbado are found mostly in the south-western areas of Yorubaland, where the ancient Oyo Empire was founded. Igan Okoto has the biggest population of the Egbado people.

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SKU: 8379216348

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Desirae
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 4
Small but cute
Color: A1 - Pink 1 Pack
smaller than I thought but perfect for travel. Seems durable
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Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2026
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Amanda Gross
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
Adorable, functional, and great for travel
Color: A1 - Pink 1 Pack
Adorable, good quality, small but fits enough for travel. I’ve had no problems with the zipper or any of the inside functions. I like that you can remove one of the pieces to fit something larger in it.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2026
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Samantha Emanuel
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
Perfect size and quality
Color: Velvet 1 Pack - Navy Blue, Color: Velvet 1 Pack - Navy Blue
This was a gift for my teen daughter she’s collecting jewelry now and this was perfect for her. This is also great for traveling! It holds lots of little pieces and feels soft. This is a great gift idea. Months later and it’s still in great condition. Easy to use and take along anywhere.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2026
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Jarrod Shupe
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Great value for the $
Color: A1 - Pink 1 Pack
My wife loves it for home and travel! We built, easy to open, sturdy, and fits her jewelry when needed.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2026
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Brenda Marrero
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 5
Pretty and perfect size
Color: A1 - Pink 1 Pack
Love this box is very pretty, perfect to have my everyday jewelry and perfect for travel.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2026

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