Divination Box Item Number: 3455/3 a-v from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Ifa divination tools (parts d-v), stored inside a round, two-tiered container (parts a-c). All components are made of metal. Bottom compartment of container (part a) has a flat base and protruding lip, with a raised edge. The top compartment (part b) sits on top of the lip. Along the top left and right edges of the bottom tier are notches that protrusions from the bottom edges of the top tier fit into, securing the two compartments together. The sides of both tiers are decorated with finely incised bands, consisting of cubes, and plain and diagonal lines. The lid (part c) has a long lip, that fits over the edge of the top compartment, and a circular knob in its centre. There are raised lines across the surface, dividing the lid into bands. There are finely incised decorations in the top and centre bands, consisting of dotted triangles, plain and diagonal lines, and scallops. The divination tools are small and different shapes. Most are rectangles, triangles and squares with raised geometric and curvilinear motifs across their surfaces (parts d-o). Other tools include a horn (part p), scorpion (part q), large bell (part r), small bell (part s), square knot (part t), flat semi-circle with notched edges (part u), and a semi-circle with ridged sides and pointed top (part v).

History Of Use

Ifa religion divination tools.