YORUBA BEADED SASHES 1-4

Photograph © Hamill Gallery

Brightly inventive and meticulously constructed, these modern sashes are based upon sashes that functioned as symbols of the owner's spiritual position and were worn in public ceremonies by Ifa priestesses. Although they have no spiritual use, these pieces are produced by hand in Nigeria by the Yoruba people.

The original sashes were derived from the sacred beaded sheaths for Oko iron staffs (see Yoruba Beaded Sheaths),

Beads and cowrie shells were signs of wealth and status. In addition to the Yoruba faces with vertical scarification on the cheeks, common themes include many types of animals and geometric patterns.