Nigeria
Yoruba

Bronze
Late 19th-Early 20th Century
Length: 11.5 in
Idiophone – Struck Directly – Tapper

This bronze Ifa tapper (‘iroke Ifa’) was used by the diviner, a “father of ancient wisdom” called the Babalawo (pronounced Baba-a-láwo). The diviner would use the bottom tapper-part by striking the center of the divination tray to summons the cosmic forces and to bring emphasizes to parts of the Ifa’s orature. The top part is a bell with a clapper inside. This provided a different sound for invocations and songs during the ceremonies. The male face shows a short beard and scarification on both cheeks that may indicate the regional, community, or lineal affiliations, royal/non-royal status. Divination has existed throughout the world for thousands of years. The Yoruba people practice Divination (Ifa) to explain misfortunes and to help prevent them.