An old Yoruba female figure with offering bowl from the people of Nigeria. The Yoruba are the largest ethnic group in Africa and are the most prolific of its art producing peoples. The Yoruba people placed female figures on shrines to encourage fertility. A large figure holding a bowl kneels with respect to the god or Orisha in whose shrine she appears.  Figures with bowls are used to hold kola nuts as offerings of hospitality or as receptacles for sixteen sacred palm nuts used in divination. This beautiful, old Yoruba figure measures 21 1/2" in height.