Ebẹn are often described as swords, however they are used more like sceptres. During ceremonies titled chiefs would hold them or throw them during dances, and in doing so they pay homage to the Ọba at these public events. When a chief receives a certain status and is awarded an Ebẹn, he would dance with it to pay homage to the Ọba. It is forbidden for Ebẹn to touch the ground, so the chief would have to take extra precautions to avoid dropping the Ebẹn during the dance. Therefore the Okae-Odionmwan (head of executioners) dances with the cutting sword (

The Ebẹn is one of the two of the most common types of ceremonial swords found in the Kingdom of Benin, along with the Ada. The blade is the main distinguishing characteristic of these two swords. The Ebẹn blade is similar in shape to an oar and can be perforated and/or decorated with brass inlays most commonly shaped as small Ebẹn and leopards. In contrast, 

 typically have a J-shaped blade. The blades of both Ada and Ebẹn are made from iron, however the Ada often has a carved ivory or cast-brass-hafted handle. In contrast, the handle of the Ebẹn is unique in shape, with a large ring-shaped handle set at a ninety-degree angle from the flat blade. The distinctive shapes of these swords make them relatively easy to identify. However, a wider range of material, including other kinds of swords, knives and daggers are less easily identifiable with specific terms.

Ebẹn

Two of the most common types of ceremonial swords found in the Kingdom of Benin are the Ada and the Ẹbẹn. The shape of the blade is a main distinguishing characteristic of these two ceremonial swords: Ada typically have a J-shaped blade, whereas Ẹbẹn have an oar-shaped blade which is sometimes perforated and/or decorated with brass inlays often in the shape of small Ẹbẹn and leopards. The blades of both Ada and Ẹbẹn are made from iron, however the Ada often has a carved ivory or cast-brass-hafted handle. In contrast, the handle of the Ẹbẹn is unique in shape – a large ring set at a ninety-degree angle from the flat blade. The distinctive shapes of these swords make them relatively easy to identify. However, a wider range of materials, including other kinds of swords, knives and daggers, are less easily identifiable with specific terms.

Ceremonial Sword

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The British Museum’s archives are held in various locations across the institution. The items listed here aim to give an overview of the main locations where relevant archival and photographic material relating to objects from the Kingdom of Benin is housed. Key areas relevant for cultural objects from the Kingdom of Benin are: Corporate Archives; Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas archives; Department of Britain, Europe and Prehistory archives; and the Anthropology Library and Research Centre.

Website

Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas 

Online Catalogue

Library & Archive

British Museum

Internal Data (eng)

Wikidata Link

Friends of the British Museum

Foundation

Suggestion: The word juju in itself is not harmful in as much as it refers to the belief system. It can be used in a harmful or derogatory way and is context dependent. Please assess the context of this word as a user of the platform.

 more about the background of this statement here.

juju 

Suggestion: Replace with, “a person of short stature,” “little person” or "someone with dwarfism". (See 

Read more about the background of this statement here.

dwarf

Suggestion: Replace with First Nations, First people, or particular community name. (See 

aboriginal

Suggestion: Replace with the name of the particular community and delete where it is used to reference an already identified group, e.g Igbo ~~tribe.~~

tribe

This word was redacted from the catalogue as a derogatory racialised word.

DB_redacted_word

Suggestion: Be as specific as possible in terms of country, population etc. (See 

non-western

western-art

western museum

tribal

hofzwerg

For more information on this term and its violent and inherently harmful context to indigenous communities, see 

British Colonial Military Campaign on Benin, February 1897

expedition

exotic

negro

Suggestion: Replace with the word Africa.

Black Africa

Warning: This word is used in a historic context of a title for a book, exhibition, institution name or book description etc. We recognise the potential for the material to cause physical and mental distress as well as evoke strong emotions. The material within the catalogue does not represent Digital Benin’s views. Digital Benin maintains a strong anti-colonial, anti-racist position and affirms its support for centring the humanity of historically marginalised and disenfranchised communities.

Read more about the background of this statement here

primitive

Suggestion: Replace with traditional healer, spiritual healer, or specific name that particular communities use to define this role. (See 

medicine man

Suggestion: Replace in cases where it used to describe human beings, with the term indigenous communities, first people or particular community name.