Sopona

Prior to the early 20th century, people of this religion believed that if the priests were angered, they were capable of causing smallpox outbreaks through their intimate relationship with Shapona.

is considered a secret and taboo name, not to be spoken aloud in respect for the power of the Lord of Infectious Disease.

He discovered that the priests were causing the disease through applying scrapings of the skin rash of smallpox cases.

Oral history has it that this disease decimated their ancestors during their sojourn at Adja Tado until they were cured by a Yoruba man known as Torgbui Anyi.

A skirt and hood made of straw that covers the entire body is the clothing associated with Sakpata-Omolu followers and worship.

[6] In the Trinidad Orisha tradition, Sopona is known as Shakpana or Ṣakpanna,[8] and is similarly a ferocious god associated with healing smallpox.

This carved wooden statue of Sopona was one of approximately 50 created by a traditional healer as commemorative objects for the CDC , WHO , and other public health experts attending a 1969 conference on smallpox eradication. It is adorned with layers of meaningful objects such as monkey skulls, cowrie shells , and nails .