West African Nigerian Yoruba Carved Ivory Divination Tapper and Rattle 'Iroke Ifa'

A Fine West African Nigerian Yoruba Carved Ivory Divination Tapper and Rattle 'Iroke Ifa'
Aged dark crusty patina worn smooth in places, the tip now missing
Early 19th Century
Size: 19cm high, 7½ ins high
At the beginning of a divination session and at other moments in the rhythmic movement of the ritual a priest of Ifa will gently tap the point of his tapper 'Iroke' or 'Irofa' against the edge of his divination board. He does this to invoke the attention of Orisha Orunmila the deity who was present at creation and who knows the personal destiny of all men and women. Among the Yoruba the use of ivory was the privilege of persons of high rank, especially those whose spiritual powers affected the lives of others. Ivory was the privilege of Kings, of the elders of the secret Ogboui society and of Ifa priests.

West African Nigerian Yoruba Carved Ivory Divination Tapper and Rattle 'Iroke Ifa'

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+44 (0)7836 684133

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ENQUIRIES

+44 (0)7768 236921
+44 (0)7836 684133

enquiries@finch-and-co.co.uk