Reg No.
46
Edo designations
English designations
Fragment
Osun Staff
Categories
Altar & Shrine Objects
Staffs
Location
1 Adesogbe (Plymouth) Road, P.M.B. 1115, Benin City , Edo State
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Fragment

Iconographies

5 annotations
Udahae
Beaded forehead band

The Udahae is a forehead band made from coral beads and worn by chiefs. Sometimes a white Igan (feather) from the Oɛɣohɔ (vulturine fish eagle) is tucked into the left side of the Udahae. According to Benin oral tradition, the Udahae was introduced by Ọba Ezoti, the first son of Ọba Ewuare I. During his coronation, Ezoti was shot in the forehead with a poisoned arrow. To stop the bleeding, a band of red beads was wrapped around his forehead while he made public appearances. Fourteen days later, he died from his wound. Since then, Benin chiefs have worn the red-beaded Udahae around their foreheads to commemorate the cap used by Ezoti to stop the bleeding (Egharevba 1968, p. 21).

1 annotation
Udahae
Colar Bead
Odigba
Coral beaded collar

Odigba (coral-beaded collar) is a rigid neck collar made of coral beads, worn as part of ceremonial attire only by senior princes who have been made Enigie (Inneh 2007, p. 107). Although Ibafe (2007, p. 43) argued that the Odigba was introduced during the Ogiso period (c. 900–c. 1170 AD) by Ogiso Ere, along with other symbolically important Emwin Arhe, such as the Ada (ceremonial sword) and the Ẹbẹn (ceremonial sword), this seems unlikely, as coral was only introduced in the late 15th century through trade with Portuguese merchants.

1 annotation
Odigba
Ikharo
Forehead markings

Ikharo are linear keloid markings depicted on the forehead of Uhunmwu-Elao (commemorative heads) in groups of three or four above each eye. The exact meaning of Ikharo is debated; some have argued that they relate to the gender or tribal identification of the person on whom they are depicted. For example, has argued that they were worn only by men; however, their use in depictions is not consistent with this, and the Iy’Ọba are also shown wearing them. argued that they are instead a stylistic feature employed by artists that varied over time.

The naming of these markings differs between publications. For example, describe these markings as “agbaguda n'ehae”, which they write translates literally as “blades of the forehead”. However, later went on to call these “ikharo”, as used here. referred to these forehead markings as ikharo, meaning “tribal mark [of eye]”.

1 annotation
Ikharo
Ogho
Ram

The Ogho (ram) is associated with masculine and aggressive qualities, bravery and agility in Edo belief, as well as with conflict and trouble ( ). Due to these symbolic associations, the Ogho is one of the animals often used for sacrifice, particularly at the Ikẹgobọ (altar to the hand), as an offering associated with physical strength and power. Rams, particularly ram’s heads, are a common motif used to decorate the flanges of Uhunmwu-Elao (commemorative heads), as well as serving as the central decorative motif on pendant plaques. These Ogho pendant plaques are believed to have been worn by the Ọba, based on evidence from depictions of a figure interpreted as Ọba Ewuakpe ( ; ). According to Barbara Blackmun ( ), the Ogho head motif was one of the dynastic motifs that were revived during the 18th century. The widespread use of the ram’s head motif suggests connections with other southern Nigerian casting centres, such as Ife, Owo, and the Lower Niger Bronzes.

In addition to the ram’s head motif, two unusual aquamaniles in the form of whole Ogho figures were also cast by artists from the Igun-Ẹrọnmwọn.

1 annotation
Ogho
Ukhurhẹ
Ancestral Staff

Representations of figures, often the Ọba, with an Ukhurhẹ (Ancestral Staff) in their right hand recur in a number of Emwin Arre (royal treasures), particularly those carved in wood as Agba (royal stools), cast in brass as part of Osogan (Osun staffs) and Ikẹgobọ (altars to the hand), and carved in ivory as Aken'ni Elao (carved tusks).

Ukhurhẹ are rattle staffs, usually made from wood, although brass examples are believed to have been owned by the Ọba. Ukhurhẹ were, and continue to be, commissioned when the paternal head of a family passes away as a way of commemorating them ( ). Following a ceremony in which they are installed on the family’s ancestral altar, Ukhurhẹ are typically lined up against the back of the altar and are used to communicate with ancestors and the spirit world. When depicted on the Emwin Arhe, Ukhurhẹ are usually held in the right hand of the Ọba, while an Ughavan (celts) is carried in his left hand.

1 annotation
Ukhurhẹ

Provenance

5 events
Production
unknown to February 22, 1897 (day approximate)
The object was produced by Unknown member(s) of the Igun-Ẹrọnmwọn guild and Unknown member(s) of the Igun-Ematon guild.
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 November 20, 1901
The object is known to have come into contact with Theodor 'Theo' Rautenstrauch, later in Cologne.
Donation
November 20, 1901
The object was donated by Theodor 'Theo' Rautenstrauch to the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum in Cologne.
Restitution
December 8, 2022
The object was restituted by the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum to the Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ọba of Benin & National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Nigeria from Cologne to Nigeria.

Related archival documents

1 documents
See all
Memorandum
Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum
190109
Date
November 20, 1901

Institution data

Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum
The data was transferred directly by the institution.
Last updated: 2022-07-27
Language: english
Institution fieldValue
Additional Ids
object id
190109
Additional Ids / bundle
object id
RJM 1901/09
Other numbers
object id
Reg No.
object id
46
Reg. No / Inventory number
object id
RJM 46
Object name
designation
object type
figure, Osun?
Object name / Title
designation
Osun Staff (fragment)
materials
material
copper alloy, mineral pigments, iron
Dimension/s
dimensions
H.36.50cm W.11.70cm X. 12.70cm
previous owner/collector
prior source
Theodor Rautenstrauch, son of Adele and Eugen Rautenstrauch, Member of Deutsche Kolonialgesellschaft - Dep. Köln Collection Wilhelm Joest 1881
provenance
provenance
until 20.11.1901, Theodor Rautenstrauch (1873-1907)
Institution
department and institution
Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum - Cultures of the World, Cologne
Institution acquisition date
accession date
11/20/01
Acquisition details
accession method
donation
comments
notes
Note on compilation: files or letters not available.
Copyright
license
© Museumsgesellschaft RJM Köln, Foto Uli Grohs
notes concerning "other numbers"
Sensitive Content

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