Yoruba Agere Ifa
Artist: Unknown Yoruba artist
Name: Agere ifa, divination bowl
Origin: Yoruba people of Nigeria
Made of: wood, pigment
Dimensions: H: 22.5” (59.5cm); W: 10” (18.5cm); D: 10” (19cm)
From: Gift of Dr. J. Hans and Thelma Lehmann, 1992
Accession no. 1992.01.004
On display in the PLU’s Mortvedt Library (2nd floor)
Description: This wooden sculpture depicts a kneeling mother with a nursing child in her arms, while carrying another child on her back. This maternal depiction reflects the revered role of Yoruba mothers as creators of new life. But her kneeling posture is also an expression of respect and submission and reflects the revered status of the deities. The carved bowl on top of her head is utilized in divination rituals, where guidance is asked for from Ifa, the God of divination.