Two Pythons Crossing the Path

This photo is one of the sculptures on the Alájere Path of the “Dancing Men” overlooking the Osun River.
The sculpture is of two intertwined pythons guarding the path. This sculpture is one of many on the narrow pathway leading from the Obatala (Orisa of Creation) Complex down a hidden pathway to the Ojúbọ Òṣogbo, the main Osun Shrine in the Groves. Pythons figure prominently in Yoruba cosmology and traditional art. As in many belief systems, snakes symbolize instincts that are deeply primal yet difficult to control or negative forces.
The twin python sculpture had just been restored at the time of this photo, by long time artisan and member of the New Sacred Art Movement team, Adyemi Oseni. Adeyemi is the last member of the original team who is able to actively participate in sculpting and restoring works of art in the Groves.
The pythons were created in the early 1960s, by Susanne Wenger. In the early 1960s she was mentoring Adebisi Akanji and other artists of the Movement to create works of art reflecting their Yoruba traditions. She encouraged them to experiment with cement and to create works that maintained the attributes of the deities sculpted in wood by traditional ritual woodcarvers but to feel liberated to develop a style which was there own.
As with all the Shrines and works of art in the Sacred Groves, this work was created using cement, reinforced with iron rods and netting. To save money at the time, mud was used in the core and then covered with cement. Over time the mud core weakened and the sculptures collapsed. This works of art required major restoration in 2016 by artist, Adeyemi Oseni. This time only cement with metal reinforcement was used and the sculpture should last forever, if properly maintained.