Òrìsà Okó Staff (ọ̀pá òrìsà okó)

Artist Yorùbá artist

Dateearly 20th century

MediumIron and wood

Dimensions61 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 3 1/4 in. (156.2 x 8.9 x 8.3 cm)

ClassificationsMetal

Credit LineGift of Claire and Michael Oliver

Object number2000.5.1

On View

On view

Label TextThis staff was likely never intended to be used as a weapon. Rather, it is part of regalia used to convey its owner’s power. In addition to being a beautiful object, it has an elaborately beaded superstructure. Beads appear on various forms of Yorùbá regalia and commonly signal prestige.

The staff was also made to honor Okó, an òriṣà associated with agriculture. Devotees commission specific blacksmiths to create iron staffs, providing the blacksmiths with used hoes to be reworkedfashioned into the staffs. In reworking, the metal is refined and strengthened. The beaded cover provides additional visual affirmation of the staff’s importance and power.
ProvenanceMichael Oliver, New York, about 1900-2000; given to NCMA 2000.Exhibition HistoryRaleigh, NC, North Carolina Museum of Art, "Objects of Desire: The Museum Collects, 1994-2004," July 18, 2004-February 27, 2005.

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