Yoruba Udamalore Ogun Ritual Blade
Yorubaland (Nigeria, Benin, Togo)
Early 20th century (ca. 1920)
Brass
Blade: 45,7
Hilt & Blade: - cm
Hilt, Bade, Sheath: - cm
Collection Date: 2021
Collection Number: 250

Ex. Rick Stroud (RSWORD): Raleigh, North Carolina, USA (2021)

A ritual blade used by the Ogun Cult from the Yoruba of West Africa. Its large hand forged, single-edged chopping style brass blade is upcurved near the point. Ornamentally decorated with geometric designs on the entirety on one side, plain on the reverse. The tang is broken and missing its hilt, which was likely composed of wood. This may have happened by a chopping motion as the brass alloy material is brittle compared to iron and steel, possibly broken during ceremonial use. Regardless, it is a beautifully decorated blade.

• https://ertribal.com/index.php/tribal-art/archive/asymmetrical-blades/ogun-cult-sword-yoruba-bini-nigeria

• https://exchange.umma.umich.edu/resources/40440/view

• https://barakatgallery.eu/artworks/categories/545/72022-yoruba-brass-udamalore-ceremonial-sword-20th-century-ce/

• https://barakatgallery.eu/artworks/categories/545/72391-yoruba-brass-udamalore-ceremonial-sword-with-wooden-handle-19-ce-200-ce/

• https://www.hamillgallery.com/YORUBA/YorubaKnives/YorubaKnife03.html

• http://africanarms.com/gallery?4-yoruba-very-old-ogun-cult-sword-62-cm

• http://africanarms.com/gallery?yoruba-ogun-cult-sword-56-5-cm

• http://africanarms.com/gallery?2-yoruba-ogun-cult-sword-56-cm