Two Divining Sashes from the Yoruba People of Nigeria | ||
| Rugs and Textiles135 of 1047 |  |  |
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Posted 4 years ago
ho2cultcha
(5051 items)
I found these two beaded pieces yesterday. They are about 50 yrs old and 40 inches long. I'm not quite sure what a 'divining sash' is, but apparently these are two of them.
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See: https://www.hamillgallery.com/YORUBA/YorubaSheaths/Sheaths.html
and https://www.hamillgallery.com/YORUBA/YorubaSashes/YorubaSashesWall.html
Diviners sashes were originally worn as a symbol of the owner's high spiritual position, and ability to foresee the future. Also called "king's sashes", since only kings and diviners could wear these fully beaded sashes (also made as belts) in their ceremonial attire.
The sashes and belts, however, were designed based on previous beaded sheaths that held ceremonial staffs and/or weapons.
Today, though, they are a popular folk art and souvenir item, produced in huge numbers, and used primarily as decorative wall hangings, since their functional use ended generations ago. Which means they also have an interested history, having undergone at least three transformations in purpose, no longer having any spiritual use, but retaining the intricate bead work the Yoruba are known for.
CanyonRoad has it right There are many on eBay.
Very beautiful bead work . Thankfully Canyon Road is very knowledgeable about these to solve your mystery :-)
Thank you Congcu, Canyon Road and Manikin!