Carved wooden staff tapering column surmounted by a human head probably representing Shapona (Shopono), amuletic concerned with smallpox, Yoruba people, Nigeria, 1860-1900
Sapona (Shapona) is the eldest son of the Yoruba creator god Olodumare. He was given control of the earth with the power to reward or punish its inhabitants. Smallpox was seen as a punishment - an indication of divine displeasure whereby the grains of the earth eaten by man emerge on the skin.
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Science Museum: Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries
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Details
- Category:
- Ethnography and Folk Medicine
- Object Number:
- A657207
- type:
- staffs folk medicine (general), religion (tribal), representation and amulets, deities, folk medicine (general), religion (tribal), representation and staffs
- credit:
- Loan, Wellcome Trust
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