Ẹgogo
Description
Ẹgogo (gongs) are used to summon attendees to a meeting or draw attention to important public announcements. They are often used by Avbiogbẹ (information officers). Ẹgogo were made, and continue to be made, from iron, brass and ivory. Single gongs have one large resonating cup, whereas double gongs (Ẹgogonagbeva) have a second smaller one attached to the front. When struck with a striker, the... Read more
Ẹgogo (gongs) are used to summon attendees to a meeting or draw attention to important public announcements. They are often used by Avbiogbẹ (information officers).
Ẹgogo were made, and continue to be made, from iron, brass and ivory. Single gongs have one large resonating cup, whereas double gongs (Ẹgogonagbeva) have a second smaller one attached to the front. When struck with a striker, the two cups produce different intonations. As with many Benin artworks, the material used to make an object reflects who may have used it. Ẹgogo made from ivory would have been the preserve of royalty, whereas iron gongs were most likely used in villages around the kingdom (Ben-Amos, 1995).
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21 objects
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