Divination bowl, Nigeria, 1880-1920

Carved wooden ritual bowl in the form of a hen supported by group of figures including a woman and child along with the god Eshu, part of Ifa ritual bowls known as "Adjella-ifa" and used for divination, made by the Yoruba peoples, Nigeria, 1880-1920.

Carved wooden ritual bowl, made by the Yoruba peoples, Nigeria, c. 1880-1920. This was one of a set of ritual bowls known as 'Adjella-ifa', which were used for divination. It is in the form of a hen supported by a group of figures including a woman and child, and the Yoruba trickster god, Eshu (or Elegba). Eshu appears in all Yoruba divination bowls or trays and carries human sacrifices to Ifa in the divination process. Palm kernels are stored in the bowl which is passed from hand to hand to determine the cause of an illness.