Idiophone: Bird of Prophecy (ahianmwen-oro)

Unknown

16th century · Bronze · Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

The bird perched with outstretched wings on the finials of the instruments sounded on the occasions of Ugie Oro court festivals is usually called the "bird of prophecy" (ahianmwen-oro) and sometimes the "messenger of god" (odibosa). Beginning with the reign of King Esigie in the sixteenth century, the sounding of clappers depicting the bird of prophecy at Ugie Oro court ceremonies was regarded as a sign that the kings of Benin were endowed with the power to alter history.

Artist

Unknown

Date

16th century

Medium

Bronze

Culture

Edo peoples

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Credit line

The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979