Herbalist's staff (ọ̀pá Ọ̀sanyìn),

19th or 20th century

Herbalists, the specialized practitioners of Yorùbá traditional medicine, often work alongside priests to prevent, diagnose, and treat ailments. Hand-forged iron staffs such as this are placed in altars to Ò̀sanyìn, deity (<em>òrìsà</em>) of the herbalists. A flock of slender-necked birds and blades encircling a larger, central avian figure alludes to Ò̀sanyìn’s ability to transform himself into a bird, one of the many ways he gains knowledge<br>for healing and protection. Three small curling blades interspersed among the birds reference Ògún, a deity linked to tools and metal. Without Ògún’s help, a healer could not cut his way through the forest to gather his supplies, nor could a blacksmith have made this staff.