Final answer:
In Benin royal altars, carved elephant tusks are mainly used for religious rituals and to symbolize the monarch's power, serving both as ceremonial objects and tributes to the divine aspect of kingship.
Step-by-step explanation:
Carved elephant tusks have played a significant role in the religious and ceremonial life of the Kingdom of Benin. In the context of Benin royal altars, carved elephant tusks are predominantly used for religious rituals and as symbols of power. These tusks, often displayed on the ancestral altars, highlighted the Oba's divine right to rule and acted as a bridge between the material world and the spiritual realm. Decorative tusks inserted into the tops of brass or bronze heads on altars served to honor the ancestors and were part of the royal regalia during ceremonies. The significance of these ivory tusks extends to representing control over the natural and supernatural worlds, as indicated by the usage of leopards and depictions of the queen mother, demonstrating the Oba's sovereignty and the respect paid to lineage.