Ceremonial Sword (Ape)

YorubaWW-1925-142465

1925·Iron, leather, and ivory or bone·95.9 × 22.3 × 14 cm (37 3/4 × 8 3/4 × 5 1/2 in.)

With its circular handle, foliate-shaped blade, and detailed openwork, this ceremonial sword illustrates associations between the Yoruba kingdom of Owo and the Benin kingdom to the south. A strong connection between the two existed by the 16th century, and much of Owo’s regalia derived from Benin’s royal court. In Owo ceremonial swords may belong to a king or his chiefs. The openwork on this sword identifies the courtly title of its original owner. Olufowose can be translated as “one who has made money and used it properly,” and Alaijebi means “one who is innocent.” Together the title suggests a rank gained fairly through sudden wealth.

Catalogue

Year: 1925
Medium: Iron, leather, and ivory or bone
Dimensions: 95.9 × 22.3 × 14 cm (37 3/4 × 8 3/4 × 5 1/2 in.)
Collection: Art Institute of Chicago
Artist: Yoruba

Artist

Yoruba

Textile

Yoruba is an Atlantic–Congo language that is spoken in West Africa, primarily in South West Nigeria, Benin, and parts of Togo. It is spoken by the Yoruba people. Yoruba speakers number roughly 50 million, including around 2 million second-language or L2 speakers. As a pluricentric language, it is primarily spoken in a dialectal area spanning Nigeria, Benin, and Togo with smaller migrated communities in Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Gambia.

Full artist profile →