Upon seeing this costume in Yoruba movies, several thoughts come to mind.




Upon seeing this costume in Yoruba movies, several thoughts come to mind. 

Firstly, the origins of this type of costume can be traced back to Dupo Ladipo and the early Yoruba theatrical performers, who utilized it in the context of warriors going to war or hunters, not Babalawo. 

Thus, using this type of vest to represent Babalawo would be inappropriate and unconvincing to the viewer.
Although these days, some uninformed producers produce whatever they like.

Historically, in the precolonial era, this type of vest served a different purpose, primarily for hunting expeditions or wars. Typically, the vest was made from padded cotton, with a surface of leather or cotton canvas, and adorned with cowrie shells and charms. While the term charm has Latin roots, meaning "song, verse," for the lack of better word, the Yoruba pronunciation for charm is "Oogun," which is a generic term for spiritual and physical protection or medicine. Therefore, the charms incorporated into the vest are for both uses and may include antidotes for different poisons or remedies for animal bites.

Furthermore, the Yoruba ancestors were skilled herbalists, as evidenced by 11-year-old Ajayi Crowther's knowledge of poisons and antidotes, which he documented in his dictionary. 

The vest's purpose is to provide the wearer with both physical and spiritual protection against their enemies, whether they are human, animal, or supernatural entities, and different Ados, small-sized calabashes used for keeping powdered medicines, may also be included. This particular vest is a unique cultural heritage of the Yoruba people of West Africa

Below are some of the antidote and poison listed by Ajayi crowther.

EWÉ - INA , s . a shrub with a hairy leaf , producing severe blisters if touched ; used among the ingredients for poisoning arrows , and in preparing various medicine. 

ERUN , S. the name of a tree ; much used in making char- coal , and also as a medicine both internally and ex- ternally an excessive dose acts as a poison , against which shea - butter and palm - oil serve as antidotes.

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