Ada and Eben is the traditional staff of the Benin monarchs. All Benin chiefs own the Eben, a leaf shaped ceremonial sword which is a symbol of their ranks. Skillfully throwing and catching the Eben before the Oba raises one’s rank. Most chiefs avoid this as failure meets with punishment.

Chiefs all own eben, leaf-shaped ceremonial swords which symbolize their rank. Although skillfully throwing and catching the eben before the Oba raises one's status, most chiefs avoid the risk, since failed attempts meet with fines and disgrace. Only the medicinally strong attempt it. Young boys within chiefly families often practice tossing and twirling them. The Oba uses both the eben and the ada, a curved, efficient-looking blade. He salutes his ancestors with the former in a solemn, dignified dance; on appropriate public occasions, Chief Ukueben holds it upright in readiness. The ada is carried in the Oba's presence as a reminder of his right to pronounce death. He grants some high chiefs the privilege to use ada within their households, but not at the palace. Ada and eben are royal symbols in some non-Benin areas. Their appearance in Lagos, Onitsha, Owo, Warri and elsewhere testifies to past relationships, either political or genealogical.

The new chief, encouraged and instructed by his more experienced colleagues, manipulates his eben in several ways. He first salutes the monarch, tipping the point of the sword to the ground several times in acknowledgement of his authority. He then uses the eben to recognize his family and supporters, as well as his fellow chiefs. As he proceeds through the ceremony, well-wishers shout, "Iyare!"--"May you go and return safely." This prayer speaks to the dangers inherent in chieftaincy; while its recognition, status and power are craved, it exposes candidates to supernatural challenges from rivals. Such competitors prefer to disgrace their victims publicly, and chiefs medicinally prepare themselves before such exposure. Festive occasions like this are occasions of both pride and anxiety for participants.

Ada and Ehen are scepters and not swords as many foreign writers have mistakenly written or called these two objects. They are made 1 blacksmiths iron working guilds in Benin.
These emblems of authority were first introduced by Ogiso ‘Ere’ the second Ogiso about 16 A.D. - 66 A.D. Chief J.U. Egharevba, also confirmed that Ogiso Ere’ introduced these emblems of authority into the monarchical system of Benin.

Eben Sceptre

Ada Sceptre
Every titled chiefs in Benin are given ‘Eben’ and nor ‘Ada’. But ‘Ada’ may be delegated to any high ranking chief, such as the Uzama - king makers or Enigie who may have it and use it inside their domains but not to the Oba’s palace

'Ada’ seems to be more powerful than the ‘Eben’. While both Oba and the chiefs dance with ‘Eben’‘Ada’ is only carried by the ‘Emada’ pages during public appearances of the Oba. The Oba can never appear in any gathering without ‘Ada’ nor move about even in his palace without it.

At ‘Ugie’ ceremonies, the Oba touches his ‘Eben’ to his father’s altars dancing with it thus linking himself with the ancestors through the channels cleared by ‘Eben’. The ‘Ada’ symbolizes his rights and power to take human life.. ‘Ada’ was a part of furnishings and beautifying the father’s altars were it is expected to have the power of the ancestors and made it more powerful and enduring to control the cause of events. Proclamations are made with ‘Ada’. It is often feared to be very effective when an Oba uses ‘Ada’ to curse someone.
The Edos believe that the iron has the mystical power of what is called ‘Ase’ meaning ‘the grant of words coming true’ It therefore means that every proclamation made with ‘Ada’ in Benin must come to pass. The ancient custom that started about 16 A.D still persists today with ‘Ada’ and ‘Eben’
‘Ada’ and ‘Eben’ are made by ‘Igunekhua blacksmiths’ the bras-smiths can also make brass Ada and Eben with the exclusive permission from the Oba. These two emblems are never swords neither weapons for war but are weapons for authority proclamation and ceremonial.

The oba of Benin

With the staff of authority, the imperial custodian of Benin tradition

The olu of warri with his own.

According to history, the king was a Benin prince.
The Edo relationship with the itskerri is forever sealed

Okpie

I remembered those years when we were told not to point at the Oba as he use the eben to proclaim death on any person.

The power behind the symbol is greater than the symbol itself never let it touch the ground....it's power for power