African Yoruba Oshe Shango dance wand, Janus faces at the celt and on the handle, facing in four directions. Reddish wood. Loosely attached to stand.

In the religion named for him, Shango is considered by believers as the most powerful god. He is manifested in fearsome thunder-storms, often resulting in stones appearing on the ground after a rain. This may simply be the unearthing of large flat stones when the rainwater washes away surface soil.

Neverthless, adherents of Shango beliefs, attribute it to the force of Shango that creates thunder and lightning when Shango is offended. Shango wands (oshe Shango) are used in ceremonial dances and as shrine objects. As with many powers associated with cults, the strength is manifested only to believers. The objects themselves possess no known mystical power, good or evil, for non-believers. Maker unrecorded. Age uncertain. Acquired in 1999.
15"h, 3"w celt #D085