Yoruba Osanyin Staff – the great healer

Despite typically being portrayed as a single country, seemingly home to identical cultures practised by a handful of people, in reality, Africa is a vast and vibrant continent currently home to over 3,000 cultures practised by people living in 54 countries, speaking over 2,000 different languages.

These unique cultures are interconnected through their relationships with one another, shaping Africa’s diverse identity. One notable culture is the Yoruba culture of west Africa. The Yoruba people mainly reside in southern Nigeria, as well as in parts of Benin and Togo, in areas collectively known as Yorubaland. The Yoruba have a rich history, vibrant art, profound spirituality, and thriving community life. Their traditions show a strong connection to their ancestors and a heritage that continues to thrive today.

The Yoruba people, like many cultures throughout Africa, practises a polytheistic religion centred on the worship of spirits known as orisha. These deity-like beings are believed to be emissaries of Olodumare, the supreme creator, who guides humanity in thriving on Ayé (Earth). Each orisha is associated with specific aspects of human life and possesses unique abilities. One notable orisha is Osanyin, the spirit who governs healing, medicine, and herbalism. Osanyin is often referred to as “the one who sees all”, reflecting his omniscient nature. As a revered herbalist magician, Osanyin holds authority over leaves, herbs, and the material world, which he utilises to teach Onishegun, the Yoruba tradition of herbal medicine.

The Osanyin staff, known as Opa Osanyin, is a wrought iron staff dedicated to the deity Osanyin. In the Yoruba tradition, herbalists or healers, referred to as Onisegun, utilise this staff in rituals to invoke Osanyin’s assistance for healing and alleviating various mental and physical ailments. Oniseguns also incorporate the staff in divination practices or repel malevolent forces and embrace positive ‘spirit energy’. In the Yoruba language, Onisegun translates to “the great physician” or “the great healer”, implying Osanyin blessed them with the power and knowledge of herbal medicine.

UNDERSTANDING OF HERBAL MEDICINE

The staff is characterised by a large bird encircled by smaller birds, symbolising Osanyin’s omniscient ability and profound understanding of herbal medicine. Typically, there are 16 smaller birds, a sacred number in divination, representing emissaries of Ogun, the Yoruba god of iron and a close ally of Osanyin. The larger central bird signifies Sopona, the Yoruba deity associated with smallpox and disease that aids Osanyin. This arrangement of birds can also be interpreted as the branches of a tree or a herbal plant, with the elongated pole serving as the stem, representing the forest, a vital source of medicinal herbs.

While the core concepts of healing and divination are maintained, the idea of Osanyin and the significance of the Osanyin staff are interpreted uniquely across various Yoruba communities. Some communities emphasise his association with divination, while others prioritise his role in creating protective and curative medicines. In certain areas, the Osanyin staff serves primarily as a symbolic representation of Osanyin’s power and presence, functioning to identify or validate the practices of herbal healers. In contrast, other communities actively incorporate the staff in rituals, using it during the preparation of herbal remedies or to administer medicinal herbs in healing ceremonies.

Although many traditional Yoruba healing practices have been dismissed by some members of the African diaspora or African descendants in the Caribbean as ‘Black Magic,’ ‘Obeah,’ or ‘Voodoo,’ several of the medicinal herbs and plants used in these rituals continue to be widely accepted and embraced. Now referred to as ‘bush medicine’, many herbal teas, ointments, and tonics are regarded as legitimate forms of healthcare despite the lack of scientific evidence to support their efficacy. Instead, oral traditions and new anecdotal evidence have been used to justify the continued use of herbal treatments, just as our African ancestors did. Today, those who wish to explore more about the traditions of their African ancestors can visit the ‘Omenala: Spirit of Diversity Exhibition’ at the National Museum of Jamaica.

Submitted by Romaine Thomas, assistant curator at National Museum Jamaica, Institute of Jamaica.