Among the Yoruba, in southwestern Nigeria, there was and still is the Ogboni secret society, which exerts an influence over the social and religious life of men: in the dispensation of justice, the healing of diseases, as soothsayers, etc. When a new member (man or woman) joins the Ogboni secret society, they receive a pair of these so-called ‘Edan staffs’, which serve as a form of identification during the meetings of the society. Each pair consists of a man and a woman linked at the top of the head by means of chains. ‘Edan staffs’ consist of an iron rod projecting from the lower part of the figures. Core figures of clay are attached to the iron staffs and later covered with finely executed versions made of yellow cast-alloy (brass). The present ‘Edan staffs’ are in keeping with tradition: two sitting full figures made of brass, executed with ‘waste mould’ casting over iron staffs and dyed black. The man holds an object with both hands (a vessel?), whilst the woman holds her breasts (an old form of greeting among Yoruba women). With minor casting defects. Scuffed colour in relief areas and rust on the iron staffs indicate that these objects were subject to protracted use. First half of the 20th century; H: each c. 29 cm. (ME)

Provenance: Austrian private collection.

Lit.: ‘Der Ogboni-Geheimbund’ by Dobbelmann, ill. 1, 21, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 32, 33, 36; ‘Erde und Erz’ by K.-F. Schädler, ill.: 463, 466, 467.