Iconographies

1 annotations

Ẹghughu

Crocodile

See Ẹghughu page

In the riverine area surrounding Benin City, there are two types of crocodile. The Ẹghughu, known in English as the dwarf or bush crocodile, is believed to be more docile ( ; Ọbazee 2025, p. 133). The second type is the Àgbákà, the aggressive Nile crocodile ( ; Ọbazee 2025, p. 11).

Crocodiles are one of the important animals represented in the historical Emwin Arhe, and they are known as Olokun’s guards or the “policemen” of the waters. The powerful and ferocious qualities of these animals might explain why warrior figures are often depicted wearing Uhunmwu-Ẹkuẹ (pendant masks) in the shape of crocodile heads on Ama-Ẹrọnmwọn (bronze relief plaques) ( ). Olokun devotees use crocodiles as sacrificial animals in offerings during the worship of Olokun.

1 annotation

Provenance

4 events

Production

unknown to February 22, 1897 (day approximate)

The object was produced by Unknown member(s) of the Igun-Ẹrọnmwọn guild in Benin City.

Looted

February 22, 1897 (day approximate) to June 1899 (year approximate)

The object was looted by Unknown member of the British colonial military campaign on Benin - February 1897 from Benin Kingdom.

Unknown

February 22, 1897 (day approximate) to 1912

The object is known to have come into contact with Herbert Clarke Emery.

Gift

1912

The object was given as a gift by Herbert Clarke Emery to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University with its destination in Cambridge.

Institution data

Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University

The data was transferred directly by the institution.

Last updated: 2021-09-10

Language: english

Institution field	Value
Object Number object id	12-57-50/C6829
Display Title designation	Ceremonial object, possibly a rattle.
Inventory Description description object type	Ornament, rectangular platform, raised crocodile and human face, scroll handle
Object Description description	Ceremonial object, possibly belt ornament. Rattle that would have had things attached.
Materials material	Brass
Dimensions dimensions	Overall: 33.6 x 5.1 x 2.6 cm (13 1/4 x 2 x 1 in.)
Classication object type	Ornament
Quantity object count	1
Date date made	18th Century
GeoLocale production place
Geography/Provenience production place	Africa\Nigeria
Credit Line prior source	Gift of Mrs. Herbert Clarke Emery, 1912
Provenance: Collector prior source provenance
Provenance: Acquisition provenance	Donor: Mrs. Herbert Clarke Emery
Culture/Period ethnic attribution	Benin
Department department and institution	Ethnographic
Image Credit Line Reproduction license	Gift of Mrs. Herbert Clarke Emery, 1912. Image © President and Fellows of Harvard College, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, 12-57-50/C6829
URL weblink	https://collections.peabody.harvard.edu/objects/113848
Digital File Number	80140108

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