Nigerian Yoruba People Ifá Diviner's Pouch: "Apo Ifá "

This is a Nigerian Yoruba People's diviner's bag, called "apo Ifá." The diviner, called "babalawo," makes his apo Ifá out of leather and fabric to which he attaches thousands of beads. The adornment indicates what his skills are through its materials and color scheme.

Diviners travel from place to place, seeking out teachers and making themselves available as advisers. The mobility and freedom of Yoruba babalawo to practice their profession anywhere are facilitated by a portable set of divining implements which includes palm nuts, a divining chain, a tray, a tapper, and a small ivory head symbolic of the god Esu. These are carried in the apo Ifá, the outer flap of which may be decorated with cowrie shells or imported European beads.

The fundamental importance of the apo in the diviner's way of life is indicated by the epithet akapo ("carriers of bags"). In this way, the diviner acts as a fortune teller, a healer and a law giver, helping to guide the "customer" into the future.
Source:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/318332