Ashanti Linguist's Staff Depicting Male and Female with Coffin

Two men on a tiny stage, one thinking hard, one waiting politely.

This linguist’s staff depicting male and female with coffin 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. Pair of standing figures with dark reddish faces and white-rimmed eyes, one in a pale yellow shirt, the other bearded in bright yellow with blue shorts, chin on hand. A small chest sits beside them on a black platform. It is 5.5 inches wide, 5.25 deep and 59.5 high.

Great posture, and a very old question hanging unanswered.