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.
A series of finely striated semi-circles runs along the inner edge of the blade. Under these is a band composed of alternating plain straight lines and fine punched dots. Over the clefts of the "mounds" are concentric circles, each with its own smaller circles rising above, increasing in number towards the tip of the blade. The hilt is nicely textured by three panels; the two outer ones in a starfish shape, while the inner is done in a checkerboard pattern each square containing a circle.