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.
Details
- Category:
- Ethnography and Folk Medicine
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A657207
- Materials:
- wood (unidentified)
- Measurements:
-
overall: 430 mm x 85 mm x 91 mm, .56 kg
- type:
- staffs
- credit:
- Loan, Wellcome Trust