Antique Beaded Yoruba Sango Priest Diviner Ceremonial Tunic Vest Nigeria, Africa

Description

(This listing is for the Yoruba Diviners Tunic without the metal display stand.)
This is a very rare and very old antique Yoruba tribally made and used beaded diviner's Sango or Ifa vest or tunic which was worn by a Sango priest during divination ceremonies, festivals, and at possession ceremonies.This is a museum quality huge garment which is extraordinarily heavy and completely covered with beading on both the front and back with thousands of tiny glass beads. An elaborate ethnic masterpiece this multi-color tunic is decorated with a large lizard and multiple shamanic human faces which represent the Yoruba Ancestors and geometric motifs.These Sango vests are considered empowered with spiritual and medicinal energy and thus empower the wearer with 'Ase' - authority and command. They are also known as diviner's vests. Divination 'Ifa' plays and important part in the lives of the Yoruba people and the role of the Priest to be a bridge between the people and the ancestral spirits is sacred. This piece is estimated to have been made in the 1800's. The interior of the tunic is hand woven from very thick fibers which is the original fabric of this piece but over time due to age and continued use the tunic was relined over the top of this original fabric with a traditional newer (still old!) handwoven lighter cotton fabric. There is a rip / or seem which is open on the inside which you can view the original woven fabric base of the tunic through. There are other signs of use and age such as missing beads and stains which are to be expected with a piece like this. I would still rate this piece in great condition for its age.
This amazing antique beaded Yoruba tribal tunic specimen comes from Nigeria, Africa and measures 42 inches long by 25 inches wide and weighs 16 pounds. I would also consider selling the metal display frame it is pictured on separately to the buyer of the tunic, if you are interested in purchasing the stand along with the tunic please message me for price and shipping adjustment for adding the stand. The stand measures 61 inches tall and the stands base measures 19 inches wide and 10 inches deep and the entire stand weighs 33 pounds and 2 ounces.
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