Accession Number1998/2.63.1
TitleOba's Slipper (One of a pair)
Artist(s)YorubaArtist NationalityYoruba (culture or style)Object Creation Date20th centuryMedium & Supportleather, metal, cloth and multi-colored beadworkDimensions 11 7/16 in x 4 1/16 in x 3 15/16 in (29.05 cm x 10.32 cm x 10 cm)
Credit LineGift of the Honorable Jack FaxonSubject matterThese beaded slippers, called
bata ileke in the Yoruba language, would have formed part of the regalia of an
oba, a sacred king that could trace his ancestry to Oduduwa, the founder and first
oba of Yoruba peoples. Although stone beads were locally produced prior to the 15th century, and during the 16th century European glass beads arrived through trade routes, glass seed beads were not used by Yoruba craftsmen until the 19th century. Normally worn only by royalty or religious leaders, the beaded regalia of an
oba did not include shoes until the mid-18th century, as prior to the changing social and political scene of that time the
oba would not have left the palace, except for the most important events. As the
oba had sacred power, his feet could not touch the ground, which allowed for the creation and use of slippers such as these. The interlace pattern on these slippers is called
salubata, often associated with royalty.
References:
Drewal, H. Yoruba: Nine Centuries of African Art and Thought, 1989
Lawal, B. Visions of Africa: Yoruba, 2012
Pemberton, J. African Beaded Art: Power and Adornment, 2008
Physical DescriptionShoe with a leather sole attached to a cloth lining with metal tacks. The outside of the shoe is covered in multi-colored beadwork; the toe has a pattern of zig-zags in orange, black, and white while the sides and upper flaps have an interlacing pattern in cream, red, blue, and orange. The top of the shoe is bound with red cloth along the edge.
Primary Object Classification Costume and Costume Accessories Primary Object TypeslipperCollection AreaAfricanRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
ceremonial costume
costume accessories
kings (people)
power
regalia
symbols of office or status