Emwiurhu (neck ornament) is used to describe anything which is worn around the neck. These can be made from various materials like coral beads, bronze and brass. They would be used as decoration, or they may serve a ritual protective function.

Coral bead necklaces would have marked the wearer’s high status. As noted by Von Luschan (1919

), very few examples of complete necklaces made their way into European collections after the 1897 invasion and looting. However, there are many beads in collections, which may have once been necklaces, bracelets or anklets. Other neck ornaments, such as chains with small charms or amulets attached, may have had medicinal or protective purposes for the wearer. The wide range of materials used to make these neck ornaments offers a tangible insight into the far-reaching connections of Benin Kingdom in the past – coral beads from the Mediterranean, red Ododo flannel fabric, and so on.

Emwiurhu

Neck Ornament

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)

Foster's

Auction House

Wikidata Link

More info

Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, London

Museum

Donor

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juju 

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dwarf

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aboriginal

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tribe

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non-western

western-art

western museum

tribal

hofzwerg

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British Colonial Military Campaign on Benin, February 1897

expedition

exotic

negro

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Black Africa

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primitive

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medicine man

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