Sango Staff: Kneeling Female Figure (Ose Sango)
The ritual paraphernalia associated with worship of the god Sango was originally developed at the court of the kings of Oyo during the eighteenth century. The primary emblem of Sango's followers is the ose Sango, a wooden shaft with a double ax-head motif at the summit. Within the parameters of this artifact's basic form, the design of its shaft has been endlessly reinterpreted with great imagination by Yoruba artists.
On the occasion of annual festivals, ose Sango are removed from the altars of shrines dedicated to Sango and carried as dance wands by devotees who sing his praises. While the imagery evoked in that form of oral poetry focuses upon Sango's hot temper and capricious behavior, the visual representation featured on the ose Sango presents his followers in attitudes of devotion, serenely balancing the god's twin thunderbolts upon their heads.
On the occasion of annual festivals, ose Sango are removed from the altars of shrines dedicated to Sango and carried as dance wands by devotees who sing his praises. While the imagery evoked in that form of oral poetry focuses upon Sango's hot temper and capricious behavior, the visual representation featured on the ose Sango presents his followers in attitudes of devotion, serenely balancing the god's twin thunderbolts upon their heads.
Artwork Details
- Title: Sango Staff: Kneeling Female Figure (Ose Sango)
- Artist: Onakunle Aribikona
- Date: 20th century
- Geography: Nigeria, Gbongan region
- Culture: Yoruba peoples
- Medium: Wood
- Dimensions: H. 12 x W. 3 1/8 x D. 2 1/4 in. (30.5 x 7.9 x 5.7 cm)
- Classification: Wood-Sculpture
- Credit Line: Gift of Martin L. Schulman, M.D., 1983
- Object Number: 1983.603.5
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
El Anatsui
2006
Jukun artist
early–mid 20th century
Oklenyi of Okungaga
mid-20th century
Yoruba artist
mid-20th century
Oba of Otobi
1955
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.