Ogboni Explorations

Babatunde Lawal surrounded by great works of Yoruba art, his field of study Abstract An exploration of the insights of the work of art historian, art critic and art theorist Babatunde Lawal on the Yoruba origin Ogboni esoteric order in relation to developing a comprehensive grasp of Ogboni philosophy, intrinsic to the order and in its integration within Yoruba thought. Philosopher of Ogboni Babatunde Lawal may be described as a philosopher of Ogboni on account of his dramatization of Ogboni vision, through poetry of expression, analytical depth, ideational range and artistic sensitivity, projecting a passion that lifts to the mind's eye the glory of his subject. Representative examples of his scholarly work may also be seen as demonstrating an inter-relationality, a coherence of subjects and of perspectives on those subjects, suggesting an Ogboni vision, even though he is not known as an Ogboni initiate. Law

Ogboni edan sculpture holding an edan pair The figure projects a sense of quiet majesty, expressing an inward identity. The regal bearing is paradoxically enhanced by the figure's freedom from clothing, a nakedness suggesting openness to the gaze of Earth, mother of all and centre of Ogboni veneration. The genitalia is made prominent to symbolize the creative energy in the procreative capacity that perpetuates humanity, an aspect of ase, creative cosmic force permeating the cosmos as it emanates from Olodumare the ultimate creator. What is Ogboni? Ogboni is constituted by a number of esoteric orders, centred in social and spiritual secrecy, concealing the details of their activities as they engage with hidden spiritual knowledge. Ogboni is a nexus of Yoruba political, judicial, spiritual, philosophical and artistic history. They were once