A genuine Benin Chief can be identified by his stiff, circular Ikele necklace of beads (signifying royalty) The agate or coral beads are strung together with copper wire to create the circular form.
The ikele is only worn once any deserving person has been granted permission by the Oba of Benin to do so.
These coral beads stand for hierarchy, domination, and power.
Coral beads are formed from the carbonate secretions that make up the structure that the coral “polyps” live on, not the actual living organism. The collected coral is polished and cut into cabochons, which are further carved into beads.
After being harvested, the coral is polished and cut into cabochons, which are then carved into beads.
