AGERE IFA DIVINATION BOWL

Yoruba Agere ifa divination bowl. 4 hand-carved kneeling figures supporting a ceremonial bowl incised with geometric patterns

The agere Ifá is the receptacle on which the Ifá priests keep their consecrated palm nuts (ikin). Ifa divination has been central to the culture of the Yoruba people for over 2500 years and pre-dates Christianity and Islam in West Africa. The word Ifá refers to the mystical figure Ifá or Orunmila, regarded by the Yoruba as the god of wisdom and intellectual development. 

Divination is a special ceremony where a priest, clients (people seeking answers), and the Yorùbá beliefs about the world all come together. It’s like a conversation with the supernatural to find answers to questions or problems. People usually ask about things like sickness, finding the right person to marry, safe travels, or who should be the next king.

In the Ifá divination process, the ikin are held by the priest in their left hand and repeatedly scooped up or cast by the right. 

Condition

Wear in keeping with age. Wood loss and deep but stable splits to base of sculpture. Some insect damage underneath the base.