Yoruba Ogboni drum
George Bandele Nigerian
Not on view
George Bandele (1910-1995) is known for his elaborately carved doors on Nigerian Catholic Churches. Though Christian, he accepted commissions from the powerful Yoruba Ogboni men’s society. This ornate Ogboni drum with its elusive emblems signals messages known to the initiated. In Yoruba society, drums are the dominant instrumental type, often made in different sizes and identified as members of a family. The leader of the ensemble usually plays the principal instrument which is identified as the Mother. In Nigeria, many old Ogboni objects have been lost and are becoming increasingly rare.
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