Ijebu Yoruba
Nigeria
9 in.
Bronze

Yoruba is a tribe and a language that extends throughout the Ijebu kingdom, established along Nigeria's coastal region during the 1500-1750. This beautiful group of figures consists of a rider, though it is not entirely clear what quadruped he is riding, supported by male and female figures at his left and his right, each of whom carries a representation of the 'edan ogboni,' paired staves connected by a chain, while the male figure also wears a pair of 'edan' around his neck. The central figure may represent a spirit, but more probably a chief of the Society, performing homage with the help of two assistants.

It is difficult to establish the precise origin of this casting. An Ijebu, or southeast Yoruba, origin cannot be ruled out, but there are several others, and probably many others, centers of brass casting where it could have been made, such as Abeokuta (after its foundation about 1830), Oyo (after 1837 and before that Old Oyo or Oyo-Ile) with each other, so similar is their work in many details. Dobbelman in his recently published catalogue of the current exhibition at piece 116, is a modern work by Yemi Bisiri of Ilobu). But there is little nearer in the treatment of the body though not of the mount. Another piece, 118, represents a rider in a rather different style which formerly had two attendant figures at each side of him, of which only the feet remain.

The Ogboni Society is thought to have had its origin at Ijebu-Ode, probably several centuries ago, and it is very likely that the iconography of the bronze and wooden paraphernalia diffused from there through all the towns and villages of Yorubaland. By its nature, the cult should be a very ancient one, since it is the spirits of the earth to which it is devoted, under the name of "onile".

This is a very fine and rare piece, and in my opinion, since no close parallels have been found, is quite likely to be more than usually old. I would suggest an age of between 100 and 200 yrs or possibly longer. (William Fagg Records)

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