Wood Carving: Significant Motifs and the Cowries

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Object ContextObject Production

One of the important or significant motifs on Benin objects is cowries. The cowrie is a symbol of wealth and value of exchange. Mr Osazeme says ‘ikpigho nọ re ya rue mwi nọ ma’ meaning, it is a cowrie used for good things. He adds that money is also used in the spirit world (ẹrinmwin) irrespective of the denomination. At this stage the Oko has three types of designs: the Obanuri, the ekenekene and the ikpigho (cowries). Also, a new motif is introduced, the snake. He says it represents the rope of the ancestors which causes great fear, hence when a child is seen with an Oko, the child is asked, ‘Why are you holding that Oko and where did you find it, can’t you see the rope on it?’ Mr Osazeme speaks about the use of Oko for invoking and revoking curses and prayers.

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