Yoruba belief specifies that each person kneels to choose a destiny before birth. If this request is made humbly and deemed reasonable, one's character and success can be established for life. Yet, this destiny may be muted by the world's chaos and disorder. When confused by misfortune or despair, one kneels again in the presence of a babalawo (diviner-priest). He uses a tapper to call upon Orunmila, the orisa who knows what the possibilities are in one's life.
Ivory
15 1/2 x 1 3/4 x 7 5/16 in. (39.3 x 4.5 x 18.5 cm)
Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection
68.26
Photo: Paul Macapia
Now on view at the
Seattle Art Museum
Resources
Published ReferencesLawal, Babatunde, Visions of Yoruba, Cleveland Museum of Art, 2012, published by 5 Continents, pl. 33
Joice, Gail, Michael Knight, and Pamela McClusky. "Ivories in the Collection of the Seattle Art Museum." Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1987, no. 18, p. 25
McClusky, Pamela. Art from Africa: Long Steps Never Broke a Back. Exh. Cat. Seattle: Seattle Art Museum, in association with Princeton University Press, 2002; pp. 46-47, reproduced pl. 23 [not in exhibition].
Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.
