Okhuaihe (Chief Priest of the River Deity) & a Civil Commissioner
- Collection
- Digital
- Title
- Okhuaihe (Chief Priest of the River Deity) & a Civil Commissioner
- Object number
- 2024-D75
- Object name
- plaque
- Material
- bronze
- Dimensions
- height: 50.8cm
Bronze plaque depicting the Chief Priest of the River Deity, Okhuaihe, and a Civil Commissioner, presenting a leather box (ekpokin) containing the head of a rebel ruler to the Oba as proof of victory.
The Ohen Okhuaihe is wearing the high bead collar (Odigba), a leopard tooth necklace (Akon Ekpen), and around his neck are two brass bells (Egogo Ohen) of oval shape. A fish eagle feather (Igan Oghoghon) is stuck in his plaited hair, and his right hand is gripping a spiked club (Ukpokpo Igban). His left hand grips a broken sword (Umozo), which symbolises the broken powers of the rebel who had once owned it. His torso is marked with Iwu (royal tatoos), and above his eyebrows are the Benin marks, Ik'aro. His wrapper is embroidered and edged with coral beads, and he is wearing ankle beads (Ivie Owe).
The Avbiogbe figure also has plaited hair, with a long-coiled strand of hair holding a fish eagle feather (Igan' oghohon). Around his neck is a single strand of beads, an indication of his Uko (emissary) status. He would have been holding the leather box (Ekpokin) containing the soil of the re-conquered territory and or the head of the ruler. This part has now broken off. His wrapper is topped by a decorated sash, and under it is another wrap-around skirt with tassles, called Ebuluku.
The background of the plaque is decorated with Ebe amen an Olokun water leaf motif.
The Ohen Okhuaihe is wearing the high bead collar (Odigba), a leopard tooth necklace (Akon Ekpen), and around his neck are two brass bells (Egogo Ohen) of oval shape. A fish eagle feather (Igan Oghoghon) is stuck in his plaited hair, and his right hand is gripping a spiked club (Ukpokpo Igban). His left hand grips a broken sword (Umozo), which symbolises the broken powers of the rebel who had once owned it. His torso is marked with Iwu (royal tatoos), and above his eyebrows are the Benin marks, Ik'aro. His wrapper is embroidered and edged with coral beads, and he is wearing ankle beads (Ivie Owe).
The Avbiogbe figure also has plaited hair, with a long-coiled strand of hair holding a fish eagle feather (Igan' oghohon). Around his neck is a single strand of beads, an indication of his Uko (emissary) status. He would have been holding the leather box (Ekpokin) containing the soil of the re-conquered territory and or the head of the ruler. This part has now broken off. His wrapper is topped by a decorated sash, and under it is another wrap-around skirt with tassles, called Ebuluku.
The background of the plaque is decorated with Ebe amen an Olokun water leaf motif.