Oregbeni Guild (Elephant Hunters)

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Object ContextGuild Context

The leader of the group of elephant hunters was called Ọgbeni, but he lived outside Benin City opposite Okedo, now Ikpoba Hill. All the elephant hunters in the kingdom usually bring the first tusk that touches the ground to the Ọgbeni, who then conveys the tusks to the Ọba of Benin. Pa Ohenhen states that though the elephant hunters were great men, they did not know how to prepare or mix the mud for building houses. The members of the guild are usually sent to fetch Ekhuere leaves for thatching the roof of new houses. Hence, a mockery song is sung about them.

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Referenced in this interview

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