Agba
Rectangular stool used by the Oba and chiefs.

Altar Tusk
Since at least the 18th century, carved elephant tusks have been displayed on royal altars atop brass heads, signaling the oba’s relationship to his ancestors. In the past, every new oba commissioned unique sets of brass heads and ivory tusks to commemorate his father and grandfather.

Aseberia
Multifigure sculpture with a square base placed on royal altars.

Eben
Ceremonial sword with fanlike blade.

Edo
Name of the people and language of Benin, and at times the name of the kingdom and capital city.

Emobo
Annual palace festival in which the Oba drives away evil forces from the kingdom.

Enisen
Junior titleholders in the Iwebo palace association.

Ewua
Group of palace officials founded by Oba Esigie, who wake the Oba each morning and perform with him a morning ceremony recalling the origins of the dynasty.

Ezomo
One of the seven Uzama, the hereditary nobles who constitute the highest order of chieftaincy in Benin; one of two supreme military commanders with the Iyase.

Ibiwe
Palace association, responsible for Oba’s wives and children.

Igbesanmwan
Royal guild of ivory and wood carvers.

Igue
Palace festival to revitalize the king’s spiritual powers and thereby strengthen the kingdom.

Igun Eronmwon
Royal guild of brasscasters.

Iwebo
Palace association responsible for the Oba’s regalia and wardrobe.

Iweguae
Palace association comprising the Oba’s personal attendants: servants, cooks, and pages.

Iyase
Leader of the Town Chiefs; with the Ezomo, the Iyase was one of two supreme military commanders.

Iyoba
Queenmother, mother of the Oba.

Manilla
Imported brass or copper C-shaped ring or bracelet used as currency in trade.

Oba
The oba, or king, is the central figure in the kingdom and is considered a divine ruler, descended from the son of a god. He provides a link between the human and spiritual realms and has the power to influence natural and supernatural forces that affect the well-being of his people.

Ododo
Red cloth used for ceremonial garments by chiefs and priests of various gods.

Ogiso
Title of the first rulers of Benin, prior to the founding of the present dynasty.

Olokun
God of the sea who bestows wealth and fertility on his followers.

Osa
With Osuan, priest of the state gods Uwen and Ora.

Osuan
With Osa, priest of the state gods Uwen and Ora.

Ugie
General term for palace ceremony in Benin.

Ugie Erha Oba
Annual festival honoring the Oba’s father.

Ugie Ivie
Annual festival during which the oba's coral and red stone bead regalia are washed in cow's blood to regenerate their potency.

Uzama
Hereditary nobles who constitute the highest order of chiefs in Benin, considered the descendants of the chiefs who requested a new ruler to found the present royal dynasty.