Ritual Axe Research Paper

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Following to the appearance to the Ritual Axe, the axe seems to be only made by wood and iron, but no jewelry were embedded. Although there was no jewelry or precious stones on the Ritual Axe, Owo was the most powerful kingdom in the eastern Yorubaland. Being a powerful kingdom has no effect on how the wealth or sources the artist could have. The artist of the artwork possibly chose to use a medium that was easily available to them, especially since any jewels, stones, or gold were limited to the area the Yoruba people were living in. The Yoruba people were not afraid to expand their territory to gain more opportunities for advance trade and to expand the areas for agriculture. By 1895, the Yoruba people were very much a people advancing new frontiers. Many challenges was faced throughout the nineteenth century for the Yoruba people like overcoming modern changes and …show more content…

The figure holding the two objects is believed to be a connection to a spiritual god that is prayed to support the Yoruba people. The importance of Osanyin, lord of the forest and the leaves, ultimate divine source of the power to heal. The description of the Ritual Axe is similar to the description of the Osanyin, the god that the Yoruba people believe to heal. The Ritual Axe is a figure with one hand forward holding two miniature jars or bottles, with one leg or legs form together. Osanyin has only a single arm, a single eye, and a single leg. The Yoruba people believed in the story of Osanyin and how the god can heal and help the people of Yorubaland. The artist of the Ritual Axe created the axe to not only have a connection with Osanyin but to use the tool and pray for Osanyin healing powers to help the Yoruba community with the crops they were growing. Worshipping is the reason the axe was created, to have a spiritual belief that a god will support the Yoruba

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