1969.S.76.A-B Divining object (_itombwa_ or _itoom_) in the form of an animal

Carved in the form of a crocodile, this instrument was used to reveal the cause of misfortune or solutions to problems. Warthogs, lizards, and dogs are other animals considered essential to the efficacy of the oracle in accomplishing its goal. The sides of the animal are decorated with carefully carved patterns and the back is purposefully flat. The wooden disk is covered with basketry. 

An individual who suffered a misfortune of any kind sought help from a diviner. The diviner wet the disk and rubbed it along the animal's flat back while he repeated a series of possible causes of the client's misfortune. The answer was revealed when the disk stopped moving.

Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa, 2015.

n.d.: Clark and Frances Stillman Collection, Dallas, Texas/New York

1969: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, gift of Eugene and Margaret McDermott [1]

[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.

Apply to objects where number equals 1969.S.76.A-B