Yoruba

> Cannot see face: king literally encompassed by his title (kingship about institution not individual) > Abstract faces on the crown refer to Oduduwa > Birds (at top) able to go from this world to the other world, fly closest to the gods (show divine nature) > Substances at the top of the crown

-Mask related to divine kingship; visualization of kingly and courtly power
♣ Close servant would go out in the guise of the king; presentation ceremony
♣ Extension of the power of the king
-Idealized portrait
-Articulates aesthetic articulations vital to Yoruba art >> coolness
– not agitated; cool; idealized aesthetic to which much of Yoruba art describes

• Head of a queen, bronze • Tell us what a ruler might have worn – clothes represent their status > Kings adorned heavily • Naturalistic idealization > Almost portraiture, but not actual portraits of people > Says that the king has riches but is also subsumed into the institution

- The head of the Oni is depicted with two abstract heads which represent inner essence with an altar. - A snake is features coming into the head/altar of the oni. > Snakes are magical beings that can exist on two planes. > Animals that travel in different elements i.e. earth & water, earth & sky are oftern associated with the ability to do between the spiritual and material worlds. - The hole on the bottom of the vessel was always there which suggests it was used to pour special liquids through it, giving it mystical power and into the earth as a sacrificial offering.

Shango is the god of thunder who burned down his house killing his wife and family when he was playing with lightning. So distraught he hung himself from a tree outside his home. His friends and family came to the sight and began to worship him - he became a god. He is an example of what can happen when one looses their cool
- Sculptures for Shango often have women.
- The double ax shape on her head represents the meteorite or thunder rocks of Shango.

- much respect and admiration given to twins.
- Figures are a represetation of deceased twins- a stand-in for humans.
- Twin figures would be treated like members of royal family?
- elaborate garments and shell/cowries to mark their assoc./w Shango or royalty.

- They are placed into the ground in front of an ogboni shrine which is a fraternal secret society which choses and can removed the Oba/Oni.

- pair of Ogboni initiates, one male and one female, attached by a chain and worn around the neck.
- thought to symbolize the attachment of the sexes in procreation and balanced society. - Generally, one or both figures will hold a thumb in the grip of the opposite hand, demonstrating the paramount Ogboni handsign denoting initiation and membership.

· Appropriated Yoruba tray · Start doing what Yoruba do after they conquer · Symbols of their culture all present

• Shows Eshu – trickster, trouble maker, deity - Greedy >> ate whole family then killed self and became orisha - Causes miscommunication, grant gifts and take away ♣ In this panel, looks to be taking away kingship when standing behind crown • Speaks of particular moment in Yoruba history - Show traditional and modern depictions

- performed in masked pairs during festivals aimed at countering malevolence by appeasing the spiritual force of the elderly women and other powerful members of society

• Courts throne; 12th-15th • Hole in the top , where substances were placed to amplify powers of the ruler • Phalic representation used to enhance power