Aghẹn
Aghẹn (mats) in this grouping are made from raffia, a fibre that comes from the raffia palm. These are usually spread over a raised mud platform and used as a bed for sleeping or by children to sit on during moonlight tales.
In addition to these domestic purposes, Aghẹn made of raffia palm leaves may have had ceremonial functions. For example, the innate properties of the leaves meant they held an important ritual place in Edo thought and kept the shrines ‘free from defilement’ (Ben-Amos, 1978, p.52 ).
Raffia palm weaving has been in practice for a long time in Benin Kingdom. Archaeological excavations led by Graham Connah (1975 ) also revealed evidence of woven raffia palm dating to the mid-thirteenth century. Furthermore, although the Owina produce Aghẹn, according to Ben-Amos (1978, p.52 ) raffia palm weaving predates the formalisation by the Owina.
Educational Material
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