a very rare and fascinating ritual Object from the Urhobo peoples, Nigeria, Africa. Measures 28 inches tall on wooden base.This is a ceremonial staff carved from a single piece of wood and featuring the image of a female spirit. Among the Urhobo she is "inene-ode" or “the mother of us all” often pictured holding a sacred vessel above her head, with elongated breasts, and strong facial features the image of this Important female spirit is often found only on the staffs and masks given to the elders of the village.The Urhobo maintain strong cultural beliefs and practices, and are a deeply spiritual culture. A strong connection between water and spirituality thrives in the region and through their art, Urhobo artists often intend to please and entertain edjo, the powerful spirits that inhabit the region’s forests and rivers, as well as the air. These spirits, who preside in the realm of the dead, called erivwi, are found deep under the riverbeds. Traditional Urhobo believe that most good things come from the water spirits and they consider things such as the fish that come out of the rivers to be gifts from “the other side.” or the spirit world.

Fair, repair to one breast, weathered and worn.