LINGUIST'S ORATOR'S STAFF CARVED PAINTED WOOD ASHANTI GHANA WEST AFRICA 20TH C.

Description

GJPaw
Auctions is very pleased to offer a superb vintage carved wood and pigment Orator’s or Linguist’s Staff. One of the most famous types of staffs found on the entire African continent are the Orators or
Linguists staffs found in the Ashanti kingdom in present day Ghana. The Ashanti Kingdom is a loose confederation of multiple chiefdoms, each chief having his own royal court with a set of prescribed dignitaries and constituencies. One of the most important dignitaries is the Orator or Linguist. The Orator is to the chief what the US Press Secretary is to the President. His job is to rephrase the Chief’s remarks in a way that is palatable to the audience yet at the same time confirms the power of the Chief. The Orator is formally known as the Okyeame. To accomplish his mission the Okyeame engages in a verbal art form, which is the recitation of parables related to the power of the chief.
In the Ashanti language there are thousands (over 3,400) of parables of this sort. When the Okyeame speaks he carries a staff with a detachable carved top or finial. The most valuable part of the staff is the top, which depicts the proverb being referenced.
There is enormous diversity in the tops because of the number of proverbs, and these proverbs or sayings may vary from court to court.
Proverbs associated with this staff, would embrace both guidance and the reinforcement of authority on the most important aspects of tribal cultural continuity.
This unique art form still serves as a constant reminder that we are all connected by symbols of authority and oral tradition.
This superb staff features a bird and two vessels. It measures 10.5 inches in width by 6 inches in depth by 83 inches in height (26.6 cm by 15.2 cm by 210.8 cm), and comes with a specially designed, hand-made, iron, museum display stand.
It is in very good condition and dates to the late 20th century. A fabulous collector’s item, coming from an important Midwest collection of African art, it is guaranteed authentic and would make a fine addition to any collection of African art.
GJPaw
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A1000-158