Yoruba Beaded King's Divination Necklace Odigba Ifa Nigeria

This is an Odigba Ifa (Diviner's beaded necklace) with two pouches (Apos.) It is made of tiny glass beads and big white european beads. According to Henry Drewal, these pouches "coincide with points of vulnerability: the ude isale hangs down against the chest and the ude oke rests at the base of the neck. It is said that inside these pouches are sewn certain substances for protection and power of the diviner" (Henry John Drewal and John Mason. Beads Body and Soul. Art and light in the Yoruba Universe, 1998, p. 234). Prior to its use, the necklace would receive a special bath in order to be blessed. This necklace was worn by the diviner around his/her neck during important ceremonies, during the Ifa initiation process and at the annual festivals to honor deities.

The colors and abstract symbolic patterns refer to the powers and identities of the deity of divination, Ifa, the figure to whom questions are directed during the divination process. The colors themselves help recognize deities or principles; for instance, yellow and green are often associated with Ifa.

148270