Yoruba Peoples (19th Century)

Yoruba Carved Wooden Maternity Figure

A Yoruba kneeling female figure

Located in Nigeria and Benin the Yoruba people are one of the largest ethnic groups to have survived in Africa. Many of their people were transported to the Americas during the transatlantic slave period, but because they were some of the last Africans to be captured, they were able to retain parts of their culture. The Yoruba had developed great city-states and urban centers and were a thriving nation around the eighth century before British colonization. (1)

The Yoruba have many deities, but their religion is based on the idea that they will go to the realm of ancestors when they die. From here, the deceased may still have some influence on what happens on earth.  There is an origin myth which describes the "ancestor of all people,  bringing forth from heaven a cock, some earth, and a palm kernel. The earth was thrown into the water where the cock scratched at it until it became land, and the palm kernel grew into a great tree that had as many limbs as the Yoruba had kingdoms. (2)

These Yoruba kneeling females are examples of wooden offering bowls that were popular among Yoruba households. These bowls were used to serve kola nuts to visitors as a gesture of friendship. The woman is kneeling in what is thought to be a position of respect while holding a chicken or cock. She is said to be a messenger of the spirits and is known as Olumeye or "one who knows honor". The women are intricately carved showcasing what would have been scarification on the face and upper torso. The face carvings are termed pele which is a term for 'gems' in Yorubaland. Hairstyles in the Yorba culture, as in many African cultures, are an important part of a person's identity. They may reflect the phase of life or status of the individual. The bottom carving is done up in the bridal head-dress with the crested coiffure and incised slanting sides. Both of these carvings represent the Yorba ideal of beauty, youth, and maternity. (3) 

    Notes

    1. Ighobor, Kingsley, "Bigger than Africa: Tales of the Yoruba people," Africa Renewal, accessed October 28, 2020, https://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/december-2019-march-2020/bigger-africa-tales-yoruba-people.  

    2. Yoruba, Art & Life in Africa, accessed October 28, 2020, https://africa.uima.uiowa.edu/peoples/show/Yoruba. 

    3. World Art-Rare Antique Asian, Islamic & Colonial Decorative Arts/London, Michael Backman Ltd, accessed October 28, 2020, https://www.michaelbackmanltd.com/object/yoruba-carved-wooden-maternity-figure-bowl-possibly-by-the-carver-agbonbiofe/.