Large ritual staff "oshe shango"

wood, pigments, glass beads, cowry shells,
Possibly a work of Bandele (cf. Carroll, 1967, p. 90 ff), the son of the master carver Areogun of Osi (1880-1954). Bandele was taught by Osamuko, a former apprentice of Areogun.

This ritual staff is unusual, not only because of its size, but also because it is carved with a male/female pair of figures, instead of a (mostly female) single figure. The massive double axe "edun ara" is carved on both sides with a face representing "shango".