Yoruba Opon Ifá or Divination Board

Powder across a flat board. A finger drawing signs. Someone waiting to hear what comes next.

This is an opon Ifá, a divination board, carved in wood by the Yoruba peoples of Nigeria in the 20th century. In Ifá divination, the diviner spreads powder over the board’s surface and marks the signs that guide the consultation. A face representing Eshu, the messenger, traditionally appears at the top of the border, and here a calm oval face is set into the upper rim. The border carries zigzags, hatched bands and other small motifs around a smooth, slightly recessed center. The wood is deep brown, rubbed reddish at the high points.

Seven inches across. Ask it something.