Ohioma Ifounu Pogoson, Ayo Adeduntan and Abiodun Akande
Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Ibadan

Abstract
This paper investigates the artistic characteristic features and iconology of Yoruba
OroÌ bullroarer using selected examples of seven OroÌ bullroarers in the collection of
the Museum of the Institute of African Studies (MIAS), University of Ibadan,
Nigeria. The ethnographic research design was adopted for the study. It gathered
data from in-depth interviews, historical, political, mythological, scholarly
submissions and allusions on the socio-religious, cultural importance and
associations of oroÌ in Yoruba land, to elucidate traditional and contemporary
perspectives about OroÌ and its iconography. In its conclusion, the paper highlighted
the important images commonly depicted on the Oro Ìbullroarer. Some of the images
observed are zoomorphic, anthropomorphic, geometric or abstract forms. It further
observes that the images on the bullroarer are purposely engineered to conform
with the the overall process of scientific effect of matter, energy, force and motion to
produce the buzzing sound associated with OroÌ.