Only kings and those who communicate with the gods are allowed to own totally beaded objects. This bag was used by a diviner to carry his ritual objects. Because the devotees of any god may consult a diviner, the colored strands of beads forming the fringe may refer to many of the gods in the Yoruba pantheon: alternating red and white beads for Shango, god of thunder; white beads for Obatala, creator of mankind; black beads for Eshu, the messenger of the gods; deep blue, yellow and maroon for three river goddesses. The alternating beads of green and tan on the shoulder strap are associated with Orunmila, the god of destiny and divination.

Print text