Ukhurhẹ are placed at the ancestral shrine of each family. A carved wooden staff is placed in honour of the first son, and his achievements in life are carved on it. Ukhurhẹ reflect the activities of generations of elder sons. When the paternal head of a family passes away, an Ukhurhẹ is commissioned by the new head of the household and carved by a member of the Igbesamwan to commemorate the deceased, and an Ukhurhẹ is added to the family’s ancestral altar as part of a ceremony.

Ukhurhẹ are commonly seen lined up against the back wall of the ancestral altar. Cast brass and bronze examples would have been made by members of the Igun-Eronmwon for the Ọba. These staffs also have a noisemaking function as they feature a wooden rattle – for this reason they are commonly also described as ‘rattle staffs’.

Ukhurhẹ

Ukhurhẹ are placed at the ancestral shrine of each family. A carved wooden staff is placed in honour of the first son, and his achievements in life are carved on it. Ukhurhẹ reflect the activities of generations of elder sons. When the paternal head of a family passes away, an Ukhurhẹ is commissioned by the new head of the household and carved by a member of the Igbesamwan to commemorate the deceased, and an Ukhurhẹ is added to the family’s ancestral altar as part of a ceremony. Ukhurhẹ are commonly seen lined up against the back wall of the ancestral altar. Cast brass and bronze examples would have been made by members of the Igun-Eronmwon for the Ọba. These staffs also have a noisemaking function as they feature a wooden rattle – for this reason they are commonly also described as ‘rattle staffs’.

Ancestral Staff 

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)

Ball, G. L. 

Collected in the field

Member of the Royal Navy

Ball, M. H. 

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