Xango, the thunder god, has three elements on his head as he balances flames of lightning to either side. The arms beneath refer to the ax that he carries as he hurls bolts of lightning down to earth. This staff is part of a belief system known as Candomble, a practice derived from Yoruba deities.
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.