TERA Gallery - African Art and Antiquities

"Altering The Way You View The World Of Art"
Type of Object
    Pair of Eden Sculptures

    The Eden depicts the primordial male and
    female ancestors of a Yoruba community and
    serves to represent the authority of elders
    belonging to the Ogboni Society,  is a secret
    society which has great power in all aspects of
    the Yoruba Peoples' life.

    The two figures making up the Edan represent
    male-female cooperation and are typically
    joined by a length of chain so that the pair can
    be worn over the shoulders by Ogboni elders.  

    Disputes are arbitrated ritually through the use of
    male and female figures, owned by high-ranking
    association members.

    Each Edan is distinct, and is highly
    individualized.  The figures are cast in brass
    around iron rods.  The rods allow the figures to
    be stuck into the ground in front of the dwellings
    of those in disputes or other problems in order
    to show that the Ogboni are concerned.  

    It is also interesting to know that the head,
    specifically its top, is supposed to be the
    location of the soul in Yoruba tradition. This pair
    of Edans is a particularly fine example of such
    implements.

Ethnic Group:
    Yoruba Society


Country of Origin:  
    Nigeria

Material:   
    Bronze


Dimensions:

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