by Roberto Zaugg
In August 2022, I had the opportunity to visit southern Nigeria and do some fieldwork on beads, religion, and fashion. For three weeks, I profited from the precious support and enjoyed the hospitality of friends and colleagues. Their help was decisive in making this journey a successful scholarly venture. I am deeply grateful to Dr Peter A. Oderinde (Lead City University, Ibadan) for assisting me in Lagos, Abeokuta, and the rural town of Wasinmi, to Prof. Osarhieme B. Osadolor (University of Benin) for facilitating the organization of my research in Edo State, as well as to Osaisonor G. Ekhator (Institute for Benin Studies) and Iziengbe P. Ebuka-Onuoha (University of Ibadan) for guiding me through Benin’s past and present. I am sincerely indebted to Tommy Asemota for generously hosting me at Ikpoba Hill, on the green fringes of Benin City, and sharing his insights into local politics. Many thanks to Prof. Kokunre Agbontaen-Eghafona, art historian Patrick Oronsaye, Adeola Olufowora, Ibrahim A. Adesanya, Raphael Adeosun and Isoken E. Erhokpaidamwen for stimulating discussions and cheerful get-togethers, as well as to Esperanza Anido Calvo for taking hundreds of pictures and helping me to produce a visual fieldwork archive.
kept in her orisha shrine (Lagos Island)
at the University of Benin
of babalawo Daud Ayoade Erinkogbigbe
(Wasinmi, Abeokuta)
Uwa Kings Imadiyi (VisitEdo) interviews Iziengbe Ebuka-Onuoha, Osaisonor G. Ekhator and Roberto Zaugg
Atlantic Italies 