Ọhọ is the executioner’s sword, and it is one of three items given to a prince being sent out to establish a dukedom. This gives the prince the power of life and death. The blade and part of the handle is iron, and the top of the handle is brass. Both the Igun-Ematon and the Eronmwon would have made this object. During ceremonies the Enogie, a duke, rarely brings out the Ọhọ, which is used by his executioners. While the Umozo, which is the cutting sword, is used during wars. In contemporary times this is used ceremonially and during the Isiokuo festival, which is more like a victory parade.

Although used in different contexts, Ọhọ and Umozo look similar, and thus the data provided by institutions has not been able to distinguish between these two swords. For this reason, the executioner’s or warfare sword has been used for the English designation to differentiates these swords, which functioned as weaponry, from the category of ceremonial swords.

Umozo/Ọhọ

Ọhọ is the executioner's sword and it is one of three items given to a prince being sent out to establish a dukedom. This gives the prince the power of life and death. The blade and part of the handle is iron while the top of the handle is brass. Both Igun Ematon and Eronmwon would have made this object. During ceremonies The Enogie who is a duke, rarely brings out the Ọhọ which is used by his executioners. While the Umozo which is the cutting sword is used during wars. In contemporary times this is used more ceremonially and during Isiokuo festival, which is more like a victory parade.

Although used in different contexts, Ọhọ and Umozo look similar and thus it has not been to distinguish between these two swords in the data provided by insitutions. For this reason, Executioners or Warfare Swords has also been used for the English designation and differentiates those swords which functioned as weaponry from the category of Ceremonial Swords.

Executioners or Warfare 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)

British Museum link

Barclay (born Cockin), Celia Alice Mary

Collector

Donor

Cockin, Maurice Stanley & Mrs. 

Colonial administrator

Collected in the field

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