Star-shaped mace heads were a common form for clubs and weapons from at least the Early Intermediate Period (200 BCE-600 CE). The first examples appear in stone, associated with Chavín and Salinar cultures. The succeeding Moche and Nasca developed copper mace heads, which they depict in painted scenes of hand-to-hand combat on ceramic vessels.

Star-shaped mace heads were a common form for clubs and weapons from at least the Early Intermediate Period (200 BCE-600 CE). The first examples appear in stone, associated with Chavín and Salinar cultures. The succeeding Moche and Nasca developed copper mace heads, which they depict in painted scenes of hand-to-hand combat on ceramic vessels.

Star-shaped mace heads were a common form for clubs and weapons from at least the Early Intermediate Period (200 BCE-600 CE). The first examples appear in stone, associated with Chavín and Salinar cultures. The succeeding Moche and Nasca developed copper mace heads, which they depict in painted scenes of hand-to-hand combat on ceramic vessels.

Mace heads were a common form from at least the Early Intermediate Period (200 BCE-600 CE). The first examples appear in stone, associated with Chavín and Salinar cultures. The succeeding Moche and Nasca developed copper mace heads, which they depict in painted scenes of hand-to-hand combat on ceramic vessels. The pointed star-shaped maces would remain popular throughout Andean cultural history.

Knives with a half-moon shape (tumi) are common in the ancient Andes. This wide blade and short handle form became popular by the Late Horizon (1400-1532 CE). While the knives were produced with metal alloys, examples with plating and gilding also exist for presumed ceremonial function.

Knives with a half-moon shape (tumi) are common in the ancient Andes. This wide blade and short handle form became popular by the Late Horizon (1400-1532 CE). While the knives were produced with metal alloys, examples with plating and gilding also exist for presumed ceremonial function.

When a new king of a Yoruba satellite kingdom was installed, the paramount Yoruba king, the Oni of Ife, had to be assured that all the prescribed kingship rituals had been performed and that he had the new ruler’s allegiance. Some scholars think the transfer of rule in these instances was officially recorded on a wreathlike ring.

This helmet mask appeared in the men’s lipiko, a public masquerade that was still being staged in the 1990s to celebrate the reentry of Makonde males and females into the community after they completed the coming-of-age rituals in their respective bush schools.

The central figure on this rare carved ivory pendant is distinguished by his placement, his slightly larger size, and the large bead at the center of his chest. He is the hereditary king, or oba, of Benin and wears the bead of kingship— an imported red coral, jasper, or agate bead.

In the 16th century, following the death of his father Oba Ozolua, Prince Esigie of Benin City challenged his half-brother Prince Arhuanran, “a man of giant stature” and ruler of Udo, over the leadership of the Benin kingdom and its center. Esigie defeated Arhuanran in the fierce battle of Okuo-Ukpoba or Battle of Blood to become the oba of the kingdom and its capital Benin City.