Iconographies

1 annotations

Ẹkpẹn

Leopard

See Ẹkpẹn page

The Ẹkpẹn (leopard) is an animal that appears most often among the motifs decorating the Emwin Arhe (royal treasures). The Ẹkpẹn symbolises the valour and strength of the Ọba, as well as his political authority. The Benin people eulogise the Ọba as the ‘ẹkpẹn n'owa’ (leopard of the home).

When a hunter kills a leopard, he must say “ẹkpẹn n'oha” (I killed a bush leopard), as it is taboo to say that a hunter killed a leopard without specifying that it is a bush leopard, as otherwise this would “be tantamount to symbolically killing the king” (Nevadomsky 1988, p. 81). For this reason, leopards of the bush are called Atalakpa to distinguish them from those that represent the Ọba.

1 annotation

Provenance

2 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.

Purchase

1980

The object was purchased by the Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ọba of Benin & National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Nigeria in Benin City.

Institution data

Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ọba of Benin & National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Nigeria

The data was transferred directly by the institution and digitized by Digital Benin in collaboration with the NCMM

Last updated: 2023-11-30

Languages: english, bini; edo

Institution field	Value
Catalog Number object id	80B:R:42
Material material	Bronze
Dimension H (cm) dimensions	3.5
Dimension W (cm) dimensions	5
Dimension L (cm) dimensions	8.5
Description description	Ugbẹkun (girdle) is the literal translation for ‘objects which are tied around the waist’. Ugue-egen is another word which can be used to describe a girdle-like object. These may be worn by the Ọba or chiefs either underneath or on top of clothing. When underneath, medicine or potent charms may be added for protection. When worn over clothing, pendant masks may be hung from the girdle. Included in the institution data is a leather object called Akpalode, which is a girdle produced by Isekpokin, the royal leather workers, and is infused with herbs and medicine worn by warriors for protection. Also included in the institution data is an object known as Ukugbohamwen, which is worn by the Ọba and the great chiefs during ceremonies. When Ukugbohamwen is worn the Ọba does not feel hunger, and it is believed that he could wear it for two weeks without food or drink. Ugbẹkun could be made from a range of materials, from animal skins to textiles to beads. Some feature a rectangular section made from textile or beads at the front, similar to an apron. A rare example is cast in brass and is known as ‘Enowe’s girdle’. Enowe was a giant Edo warrior and wore this girdle along with vessels of medicine from Osun to protect him in battle (Peek, 2021, p.175).
Object count object count	4
Associated Guild producer	Igun Ẹrọnmwọn
Production Place production place	Benin City
URL weblink	https://digitalbenin.org/catalogue/36_80BR42
Production Technique production technique	Casting
P.N. object id
Diameter dimensions
Title designation
Date Made date made
Inscription inscriptions
fileNames	80BR42_1.jpg, 80BR42_3.jpg, 80BR42_2.jpg

Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ọba of Benin & National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Nigeria

The data was transferred directly from the institution and transcribed by the Digital Benin from Catalogue Cards.

Last updated: 2021-01-15

Language: english

Institution field	Value
Catalogue No object id	80B:R:42
Description description	This is fragment of a waist band. It is locally called (Egba) In Edo language. This object has different decorations. The one on the main body is goat like. The main body is conically shaped. There is a projecting design like a pointed horn which is attached to a network design on the mouth part. Also it has three circular decorations attached on the dorsal part. The waist bangle is having a split on the body.
Material material
Diam dimensions
Dimension H (cm) dimensions	8
Dimension L (cm) dimensions
Dimension W (cm) dimensions
Weight KG weight	0.2
Classification object type	Fragment of waist bangle (Egba)
Patina and colour colour	Green
Method of Manufacture production technique
State production place	Bendel
Later Notes provenance	Purchased
Vendor provenance
Ethnic Group ethnic attribution	Edo
Division department and institution
Condition Incl condition	Good
Photo Number images	2:21:125
P.N.
Price
Signature of Cataloguer	A. Onwuegbuzie

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