nigeria, owo, yoruba peoples
This exquisite horse and rider is more than an idealized portrait of Shango,
Horse-and-rider figure (elesin Shango)
the legendary military general and master horseman who ruled as the
17th–19th century
fourth king of ancient Oyo, owned a stable of ten thousand horses, and
Ivory
was deified as the thunder god; it is a reflection of Yoruba mythology and
6M × 1P × 2N in. ( 16.5 × 4.5 × 5.7 cm)
religious beliefs. During the worship service, Shango “mounts” or “rides”
The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., 1994.197.McD
favored devotees; hence, horse‑and‑rider imagery symbolizes the state of being possessed. The horse not only represents the lightning that Shango attracted with a powerful charm but also visualizes the concept that the power of words is equal to the strength and speed of a horse. The sculpture was placed on an altar in a shrine dedicated to Shango. Because it was carved out of precious ivory rather than wood, it was probably owned by a Yoruba king or a very successful Ifa babalawo (diviner).
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african
3121-02 DMA handbook Ancient [RCP 10-7].indd 66
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