African Art

Figure for a Shango Cult, late 19th century
Wood
Unknown Yoruba artist
Nigeria
Museum purchase 1972.40

Shango was a seventeenth-century king of the Oyo Empire and a powerful warrior who expanded Oyo’s borders. But because of his aggressive nature and unpredictable anger, he committed a terrible crime and was destroyed. Later he became the Yoruba god of thunder. People who cannot control their anger may become followers of Shango, whose religious practices help them attain self-control and may bring them the prosperity Shango once brought to Oyo. The god chooses other followers by hurling lightning bolts at them, which leave behind stone axe blades. Shango worship, which involves dance possession of the devotee by the god, helps the devotee to deal gracefully with difficulty.

Figures carved for display on Shango altars often portray a woman holding offerings to the god with a double-bladed axe projecting from her head. The axe symbolizes Shango’s possession of the devotee. The face of the woman depicted in this carving is calm and cool, perfectly expressing the repose she has gained through her faith.