Ashanti Linguist's Staff Depicting a Man and Woman with a Goat

Two figures haggle over a horned goat on a worn plank.

This linguist’s staff depicting a man and woman with a goat is Ashanti, from Ghana, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is carved & painted wood. The Okyeame, or linguist, spoke for Ashanti chiefs, who traditionally never addressed their people directly, and generally recast a chief's words as proverbs meant to instruct, inform and entertain. Long board holds two green-robed figures with ringed necks, one reaching out a hand and the other gripping the animal by the horns. The pale shaggy goat stands between them, its coat roughly textured and dull. It is 8.5 inches wide, 7 deep and 58.5 high.

Negotiations look serious, and the goat has clearly stopped listening.