Staff made of thick, stiff strands of dried grass, wrapped with raffia in an open weave to make up the handle. From the bottom protrudes a tuft of raffia, wrapped with a band of woven white fabric and grey plastic twine. Two circular patches of raffia are attached close to the base, topped with cowrie shells arranged in a flower motif. The top of the staff is covered in unbleached cotton, edged with two kinds of braided synthetic banding. Attached to the cotton are three small gourd rattles, also wrapped in open raffia weaving, each with a single cowrie shell and plastic bead decoration. Three lines of cowrie shells are glued to the cotton between the gourds.

• Cultural Context

  religious; ceremonial

• Narrative

  This item is part of a set, acquired from the O Mundo dos Orixás shop, Madureira Market, in Rio de Janeiro.

• History Of Use

  The xaxará is Omulu Obaluayê’s sceptre and is the part of the costume that signals his identity. In performances it is used to sweep away negative energies, diseases and impurities from homes and people.

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• Type of Item staff
• Culture Brazilian
• Material grass, gourd fruit, palm leaf, cotton fibre, synthetic fibre, cowrie shell, plastic, adhesive
• Measurements height 49.0 cm, width 19.5 cm, depth 13.5 cm (overall)

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• Field Collector Nuno Porto
• Previous Owner Mundo dos Orixas
• Received from Mundo dos Orixas, Museum of Anthropology Acquisitions Budget

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• Made in Rio de Janeiro

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• Creation Date during 2013
• Collection Date during November 2013
• Ownership Date before November 22, 2013
• Acquisition Date on November 22, 2013

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• Condition good
• Accession Number 3041/0003