Orisha Oko is another principal deity of the Yoruba and is associated with fertility and farming. Blacksmiths in the ancient city of Irawo forged this staff from hoes donated by neighboring villagers. This representation of Oko is stylistically composed of four ancestral figures placed back to back. There are twin females standing upright and twin males upside down above them. The four heads join at the center to form the square crossing where eyes are represented in each quadrant. The necks contract on either side of the square allowing the shoulders to spread wide.

Staff, orisha oko
Yoruba - Nigeria, Benin
iron, wood, 57"h x 3.25"w x 3.25"d

Life Force at the Anvil
The Blacksmith's Art from Africa

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