Igbesamwan Wood Carving Pt. 1: Introduction

The carver introduced himself as Mr John Osazeme Omoregie Igbineweka, a descendant of the Ine n’Igbesamwan. He stated that his speciality is in wood and ivory carving, an art which he learnt from his late father, Chief David Omoregie Igbineweka. In the video, Mr Osazeme is seen carving an Oko, which he describes as a traditional flute that is used at ancestral shrines by priests and priestesses to invoke the spirits of the departed. The type of wood or materials used for carving Oko are Iroko tree, kola-nut tree and ivory. Once carved, the Oko is consecrated to become effective for use. While he uses modern carving tools like chisels, he states that his ancestors used a tool called agha. This tool was made by the Igun-Ugboha guild (blacksmith or iron smith).

Whenever items are to be carved for the royal court the agha is still used. The Benin people believe in the ritual sanctity of such tools and the significance that they add to the products.

Also, in the absence of modern tools like the ‘vice’, traditional carvers used the ukhuere, a local tool.