Should the British Museum Relabel This Ezza Crown as “Possibly Odo”?

The British Museum lists object Af1907,1111.14 as a “Fetish Object,” “Possibly Odo” and from “Unknown Ibo.” I believe the object is an Ezza bronze crown linked to Okposi and Uburu’s salt-trade history. The label raises three concerns. “Odo” is not an Ezza word, while “possibly” suggests the original cataloguers were uncertain. The “Unknown Ibo” description also appears to ignore the object’s claimed connection to the Aboine River area and Ezza communities. Calling a royal crown a “fetish object” may also be inaccurate and disrespectful. The crown is said to represent 33 villages, with Umunwagu on the market side and Idembia on the farm side. The museum record, historical maps and the Aboine River location can be independently checked through the relevant archives and map services. Should the museum review the evidence and change the label to identify it as an Ezza crown?

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