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CORAL BEADS: IVIE AND EKAN
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Ivie and Ekan are members of the Coral beads
family. CORALS ( Phylum coelenterata ) or ( Cnidaria ) are mined from coral
stones in oceans and polished as jewelry. EKAN looks like a stone and is grayish
in color. IVIE is another specie of coral beads, an important type of jewelry
worn by Edo chiefs. This kind is described as precious coral. It has a hard
core that can be polished to bring out beautiful red, rose, or pink colors.
Precious corals seems to grow in the bush-like formations in the
Mediterranean
Sea and the Sea of Japan. Oba Ewuare in the 1400's A.D. is credited in oral
tradition as the man who brought them to Benin when he stole them from the "
goddess of the Sea " at Ughoton ( Gwatto ).
Since Ughoton was the gateway to
Europe in those days, the White man, specifically the Portuguese and the Spaniards
may have brought them to Benin. The Portuguese influence on Edo culture is very
great especially in the area of costume and clothing. Unfortunately nobody has
done extensive work in this area. But if you study the history of costume as
I have done in relationship to Theatre and Drama, you will marvel at what it
unravels. The use of Ivie and Ekan is controlled by the Oba of Benin. There
are some shapes you can not wear without being a chief. Corals beads used in
Edo speaking areas are very different from those got from the North of Nigeria,
in Yoruba land and the Eastern part of Nigeria.
It is historically documented that some chiefs
have been barred by Royal Edict, from wearing any Ivie or Ekan as a punishment.
An example is Chief Oliha of Benin. It was a punishment for collaborating with
the Attah of Igala in IDAH, about 1500's A.D when the Idah soldiers invaded
Benin City. Oba Esigie and his queen mother IDIA led the Edo soldiers to victory.
The Portuguese soldiers fought on the side of Benin. Oba Akenzua II in the 1940's
seized the bearded head gear and most of the beads belonging to Chief Okorotun,
the then Iyase of Benin for being disloyal and arrogant. He also took his ADA
from him. When an Oba of Benin sends a bead or beads to anybody, it means simply
one thing, " you are being made a chief " whether you like it or not. To refuse
to accept a bead sent to you from the palace is unpardonable sin. You have in
one way or another become an " OGHIAN OBA "-the Oba's enemy. Oko'o Ademola Iyi Eweka.