Regarded as infallible divinatory instruments, friction oracles (itombwa) were used to mediate between diviners and omniscient nature spirits in order to determine the cause of illnesses and appropriate courses of treatment and to expose dishonesty.

They performed this role in the guise of an animal form, favored by nature spirits, designed to register their insights in response to human manipulation.

If you have more information concerning this object, its symbolism, its ritual use, its ethnos group, do not hesitate to leave us a comment while clicking over the lower button...

+/- 20

RDC Zaire

Kuba Shoowa

44 x 5

0.491