Ajere Ifa

Agere ifa (àgéré Ifá) is a holding receptacle, vessel or container for keeping and raising the sacred palm nuts or ikin used in Yoruba divination. Most Agere are made from a medium of wood, but also ivory and coconut shells.^[1]

Given its ritual and aesthetic functions, àgéré Ifá provides the Yoruba carver with a unique opportunity to display his artistic talents.

Usually carved from wood and measuring between five and sixteen inches in height, a typical container is in the form of an animal or human figure bearing a small bowl. In some cases, the metaphysical attribute of a given animal motif (such as a snake or mudfish) may be used to further empower the sacred palm nuts inside the bowl. But when the motif assumes a human form, it frequently has a votive significance, especially since some àgéré Ifá are given by clients to a diviner to thank Òrúnmìlà for a blessing or to implore the deity to bestow more favors on the donor.^[2] ^[3]

References

^ "Ifa Divination Vessel: Female Caryatid (Agere Ifa) 17th–19th century". 6 October 2021.
^ Drewal, Henry John; John Pemberton 3rd (1989). Wardwell, Allen (ed.). Yoruba : nine centuries of African art and thought. with Rowland Abiodun (2nd print. ed.). New York: Center for African Art in Association with H.N. Abrams. ISBN 0810917947.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ Lawal, Babatunde (2007). Embodying the sacred in Yoruba art : featuring the Bernard and Patricia Wagner Collection. Atlanta, Ga.: High Museum of Art. ISBN 978-1932543209.

[1] "Ifa Divination Vessel: Female Caryatid (Agere Ifa) 17th–19th century". 6 October 2021.

[2] Drewal, Henry John; John Pemberton 3rd (1989). Wardwell, Allen (ed.). Yoruba : nine centuries of African art and thought. with Rowland Abiodun (2nd print. ed.). New York: Center for African Art in Association with H.N. Abrams. ISBN 0810917947.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[3] Lawal, Babatunde (2007). Embodying the sacred in Yoruba art : featuring the Bernard and Patricia Wagner Collection. Atlanta, Ga.: High Museum of Art. ISBN 978-1932543209.

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