Ajere Ifa

Agere ifa (àgéré Ifá) is a container for storing sacred palm nuts for Yoruba divination.

Carved dish for palm nuts (Agere Ifa) in the permanent collection of the Brooklyn Museum

This kneeling figure was probably carved by Maku, the master carver of the town of Erin, or by Toibo, his son. The elongated oval head, set on a slightly curved neck, the stylized ears, and the incised lines across and below the half-closed eyes are characteristic of these carvers. The figure probably served as a receptacle for small gifts on a shrine altar, possibly dedicated to Shango, the god of thunder and lightning.

Given its ritual and aesthetic functions, àgéré Ifá provides the Yoruba carver with a unique opportunity to display his artistic talents.

Usually carved from wood and measuring between five and sixteen inches in height, a typical container is in the form of an animal or human figure bearing a small bowl. In some cases, the metaphysical attribute of a given animal motif (such as a snake or mudfish) may be used to further empower the sacred palm nuts inside the bowl. But when the motif assumes a human form, it frequently has a votive significance, especially since some àgéré Ifá are given by clients to a diviner to thank Òrúnmìlà for a blessing or to implore the deity to bestow more favors on the donor.[1] [2]

References

Drewal, Henry John; Wardwell, John Pemberton 3rd; edited by Allen (1989). Yoruba : nine centuries of African art and thought. with Rowland Abiodun (2nd print. ed.). New York: Center for African Art in Association with H.N. Abrams. ISBN 0810917947.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
Lawal, Babatunde (2007). Embodying the sacred in Yoruba art : featuring the Bernard and Patricia Wagner Collection. Atlanta, Ga.: High Museum of Art. ISBN 1932543201.

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[1] Drewal, Henry John; Wardwell, John Pemberton 3rd; edited by Allen (1989). Yoruba : nine centuries of African art and thought. with Rowland Abiodun (2nd print. ed.). New York: Center for African Art in Association with H.N. Abrams. ISBN 0810917947.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)

[2] Lawal, Babatunde (2007). Embodying the sacred in Yoruba art : featuring the Bernard and Patricia Wagner Collection. Atlanta, Ga.: High Museum of Art. ISBN 1932543201.