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 as 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.
A complex network of geometric patterns and highly abstract animals ornament the blade. Two lizard-like creatures with bulbous striated bodies move upwards towards the tip. A curved snake appears to connect the lizards without actually touching them. Another snake twists downwards as if entering the 'undergrowth' of designs below. A large square at the bottom has the inner area framed by a thick wavy band filled with very fine diagonal lines. The inner space shows four pairs of rectangular bars, each having five short lines like hairs shooting out from the top. These rectangular pairs are separated from each other by triangles containing concentric circles. The general pattern of the blade is an interconnected series of mysterious signs and symbols beautifully engraved, appearing to represent the forest and some of the animals that live within.