Divination board – Wood – Yoruba – Nigeria

YORUBA divination board from Nigeria.

The Yoruba divination plate, also known as Opon Ifa, is a wooden ritual object that originates from Nigeria and is used in the practice of Ifa divination. Ifa is a religious and spiritual system practiced primarily by the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria and parts of neighboring countries.

The Opon Ifa is a circular wooden tray with a flat surface, typically made from a single piece of carved wood. It is usually round in shape, although some variations may have slightly irregular edges. The size of the divination plate can vary, ranging from small handheld versions to larger, more elaborate ones used in ceremonial settings.

The wooden surface of the Opon Ifa is intricately carved with various symbolic motifs and patterns. These carvings often depict mythical figures, deities, animals, and geometric designs. The motifs and symbols hold significant spiritual meanings within the Yoruba cosmology and represent various aspects of the divination process.

The Opon Ifa serves as a sacred space for the diviner (called a babalawo) to perform divination rituals. During a divination session, the babalawo uses a set of divination tools, including palm nuts, cowrie shells, and a divination chain called Opele. The diviner throws the palm nuts or cowrie shells onto the Opon Ifa and interprets the patterns they form on the wooden surface.

Provenance: Manfred Schäfer collection, ex- gallery owner from Ulm, Germany.

Including professional custom made stand.