Band 12

The point of this tusk looks like the ceremonial helmet and high beaded collar worn by Benin's highest ranking chiefs. It honors men who've led exemplary lives and have mastered increasingly difficult levels of knowledge and responsibility.

Scales coming down from the back of the helmet represent the armor of the pangolin, or scaly anteater, a forest animal that symbolizes invincibility. Only a few chiefs are entitled to wear garments covered with the padded cloth that represents pangolin scales.

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