Oba Olateru Olagbegi II, the Olowo of Owo, seated beneath carved ivory tusks, Owo, Nigeria

Object Details

Local Numbers: C 2 YRB 6.4 EE 59
General: Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note: Time Life no. 58482 83; Frame value is 9.; Slide No. C 2 YRB 6.4 EE 59

Topic: Portraits; Leaders; Clothing and dress -- Africa; Beadwork; Headdresses -- headgear -- Africa; Regalia; Animals in art; Animals in art -- Lions; Animals in art -- Crocodiles; Ivory

See more items in: Eliot Elisofon Field collection; Eliot Elisofon Field collection / Nigeria

Archival Repository: Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art

Collection Citation: Eliot Elisofon Field Collection, EEPA 1973-001, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution

Collection Rights: Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.

Scope and Contents: "The high value placed on ivory goes back to antiquity and is reflected in mythical accounts of Orunmila's preference for and association with it. Because ivory was such a precious resource, and the preferred material for denoting the status of kings, chiefs, warriors, and diviners, elephant tusks were a commodity controlled by a powerful elite. Within Owo's sphere of influence, elephant hunters retained only one tusk out of every pair of tusks and were required to present the other to the Olowo (the king of Owo)." [Abiodun R., 1989: Yoruba. Harry N. Abrams Inc. Publishers.]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.

Collection Restrictions: Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.