Accession Number
1998/1.86

Title
Ceremonial Sword

Artist(s)
Edo (Benin); Benin (ancient Nigerian)

Artist Nationality
Edo (African culture)

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
metal, ivory, leather and cloth

Dimensions
5 15/16 in x 39 7/16 in x 8 3/4 in (15 cm x 100.2 cm x 22.2 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Susan B. and John F. Ullrich


Subject matter
This ceremonial sword, with its leaf-shaped blade, is called eben by Edo peoples from the Benin Kingdom in what is today Nigeria. The capital of the former kingdom, Benin City (located in Edo State, Nigeria) is the home of the Oba, or king of Benin, as it has been for over 500 years. Eben such as this one would have belonged to the Oba and the highest-ranking chiefs in Benin. In addition to acting as a symbol of status, eben were also danced during the most important festivals, including Ugie Erha Oba, which honored the father of the current Oba. Similar swords, called ape in Yoruba, are also used by Owo Yoruba peoples, who had close contact with the Kingdom of Benin.

References Cited: 
Ben-Amos, Paula Girshick. 1995. The Art of Benin. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press
Drewal, Henry John, John Pemberton III, and Rowland Abiodun. 1989. Yoruba: Nine Centuries of African Art and Thought. New York: Center for African Art. 
Plankensteiner, Barbara. 2010. Visions of Africa: Benin. Milan: 5 Continents Editions. 

Physical Description
Metal sword with a large, leaf or fan shaped blade. The blade is decorated with openwork geometric designs. The ivory handle is thin and ends in a large metal loop. 

Primary Object Classification
Arms and Armor

Primary Object Type
sword

Collection Area
African

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
bearing swords
ceremonial swords
eben
power
regalia
royalty (nobility)
symbols of office or status