Women in Yoruba Religious Images

bibliographic database
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Periodical article

Title:	Women in Yoruba Religious Images
Author:	Abiodun, Rowland
Year:	1989
Periodical:	African Languages and Cultures
Volume:	2
Issue:	1
Pages:	1-18
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	African religions Yoruba women Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Religion and Witchcraft Women's Issues arts Cultural Roles
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/1771702
Abstract:	This paper deals with the place of women in art and ritual among the Yoruba of Nigeria. The author argues that, although much of Yoruba religious activity and aesthetic concern seems to be male-dominated, there is not much evidence from Yoruba oral traditions and visual art to support this picture. Various examples are given to demonstrate the argument, viz. the crowns from Idanre and Ilesha which were worn by women, the terracotta heads found by Frobenius in 1910, the art of hairplaiting and the high status of the river goddess and hairplaiting expert Oshun, various Yoruba verses showing the power of women, religious cults and festivals in which women play an important role, and the appearance of women in Yoruba sculpture. App. (Yoruba text of an Ifa divination verse), bibliogr., notes.