Asen black iron altar - Fon - Benin

Originating from Benin, the Asen altars are metal sculptures characteristic of the Fon culture.

Made of wrought iron, often from nails, blades, or reclaimed metal pieces, these altars take the form of posts or vertical structures, sometimes crowned with stylized figures or symbols associated with the worship of ancestors.
Asen serve as a point of contact between the living and the dead. They are erected in memory of an ancestor, a chief, or an important figure, and placed on family altars or in sacred spaces. Their surface, often oxidized by time, sometimes bears traces of libations, offerings, or pigments, attesting to their regular ritual use.

In the Fon tradition, the Asen is not simply a representation: it embodies the active presence of the ancestor, allowing the living to address prayers, requests for protection, or guidance to him. The blacksmiths, who occupy a central place in Fon society, craft these objects according to precise rules, using forging techniques handed down from generation to generation.

Each Asen is unique, both in its shape and its history. Some are simple, reduced to a rod of iron planted in the ground, while others, more elaborate, incorporate figurative motifs or symbolic elements (snakes, birds, etc.).
Their presence reminds us of the importance of memory, family continuity, and respect for ancestors in Fon culture.
Today, these altars are also studied for their ethnographic value and raw aesthetics, reflecting both the spirituality and the technical ingenuity of African blacksmiths.

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