Ukhurhẹ

Ancestral Staff
Description

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.

Objects with Ukhurhẹ

36 objects
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112_1989844
Institution
Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields
Accession Number
1989.844
Edo designations
Aken'ni Elao
Altar Tusk
Institution
Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ọba of Benin & National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Nigeria
ID
210665
Edo designations
Aken'ni Elao
Restituted
Stool
Institution
Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ọba of Benin & National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Nigeria
ID
210842
Edo designations
Agba
Restituted
Horn or Flute
Institution
Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ọba of Benin & National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Nigeria
ID
212510
Edo designations
Akohẹn/Oko
Restituted
Osun Staff
Institution
Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ọba of Benin & National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Nigeria
ID
214792
Edo designations
Osogan
Restituted
Altar Tusk
Institution
Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen, Museum Weltkulturen
Eingangsnummer
12443
Edo designations
Aken'ni Elao
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