Ose Sango, or Oshe Sango as it is occasionally spelled, was originally created for the royal courts in Oyo. It is closely linked with the veneration of Sango, the deity of thunder and lightning, embodying his immense power of destruction. Worshippers and followers of Sango carry Ose Sango staffs as a mark of their devotion to the god.
Though Sango is associated with devastation, he is also regarded as a benevolent and life-giving deity. Reflecting this dual nature, all Ose Sango staffs feature a double-axe motif at the top of a wooden shaft. This design symbolizes both his wrath and his blessings. The double-axe also represents “edun ara,” the thunderbolts believed by the Yoruba to be hurled from the heavens by Sango through lightning.
During the annual Sango festivals, worshippers possessed by Sango carry their individual Ose Sango staffs as dance wands while singing hymns in praise of the deity. When not in use, these staffs serve to adorn shrines dedicated to Sango.
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