The ceremonial sword is an important symbol of power and authority. High ranking individuals wear the udamalore,(a small, ornate ceremonial sword), during festivals to distinguish themselves as someone of importance. At Ilesha, (central Yorubaland), the chief strikes the blade of his sword on the earth three times when he greets Ogun, god of iron. Swords are not only emblems of wealth, but also of the power latent within the metal itself to cause either destruction, or to be used for protection. Just as an individual possessing power, both earthly and spiritual, may use the weapon for aggressive or passive purposes depending upon his judgment and wisdom.
Ornamentation on the blade is snug against the outer edge, which begins with a series of X's along the horizontal bottom portion above the hilt, merging into a wider band of double row of dots, checkerboard pattern, diagonal lines and concentric circles. Above this band is a row of inverted V-shapes each with a hollow circle surmounting the 'peaks'. This same pattern is seen on the reverse of the blade.