Description (Labels & Markings)
Written on base in pen: '326'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
Carved wooden staff with 3 slits towards the top, opening into a hollow in which is a small stick of wood, loose, forming a rattle when the staff is shaken or banged on the ground. The head on top of this staff is wearing the conical head-dress worn by queen-mothers. It is kept on an altar at the back or side, and is used in prayer (the Oba had them made of brasses as well as of wood). They are a symbol of authority transmitted to the owner from the predecessor

Event Date
Author: maa

Context (Related Documents)
Catalogue card reads: 'Z 25235 | AFRICA | S. NIGERIA / BINI / (No 327?) / UKHURHE - carved wooden staff with 3 slits towards the top, opening into a hollow in which is a small stick of wood, loose, forming a rattle when the staff is shaken or banged on the ground. The head on top of this staff is wearing the conical head-dress worn by queen mothers. It is kept on an altar at the bak or side + is used in prayer. (The Oba had them made of brass as well as of wood.). They are a symbol of authority transmitted to the owner from his predecessor. / See P.J.C. Dark - "An Introduction to Benin Art + Technology" / p.26'
In second hand: 'cf. BINI Z 25233 / Z 25238'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Labels & Markings)
Remains of a luggage tag attached with string. No writing remains.
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Labels & Markings)
Circular tag attached with string reads: 'Z 25235 / UKHURHE - carved wooden staff'
on rear: 'BENIN - N.W. THOMAS COLL'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (References)
(bib) see (P.J.C Dark) An Introduction to Benin Art and Technology, p. 26

Event Date
Author: maa

Context (Related Documents)
See E 1910.118 and E 1913.3 records for further details about the Thomas Collection from Nigeria. [T.Cotterill]

Event Date 7/5/2001
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Amendments / updates)
It is unclear whether 327 is the Thomas Collection number. The 1st Thomas Catalogue notes for 327: "Iiaxue of Aho".
Event Date 22/8/2001
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Amendments / updates)
The catalogue card queries whether this may be Thomas number 327. It is not clear where this information comes from, but it seems to be incorrect. Written on the base of the staff is 326, and this corresponds to Thomas' 1st Catalogue. The catalogue lists 326 as: 'Evia of Enyai.'
The Other number field has been updated to reflect this.
Event Date 18/10/2018
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (References)
During the collections-based phase of the Museum Affordances Project 2018, photographs of some of these rattle staffs were shared on the project Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/reentanglements/).
In a comment on 01/10/2018, Adenike Cosgrove wrote: ' This looks to be an Edo ukhurhe rattle staff. You can read more about them here: https://www.imodara.com/.../nigeria-edo-ukhurhe-rattle.../'
Event Date 26/11/2018
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
Short rattle staff with head carved from soft wood. The head is wearing a pointed cap or headdress and has scarification marks above the eyes. The rattle section is hollowed out, with a remaining piece of wood inside and geometric patterns incised on the outside.
Event Date 4/9/2018
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Amendments / updates)
Record updated as part of the Museum Affordances project 2018-2020

Event Date 4/9/2018
Author: Katrina Dring