The genus name of Milicia is in honour of Milici (19th and 20th centuries), an administrator in Portuguese East Africa (in modern-day
Mozambique) who supported the work of the author of the genus,
Thomas Robertson Sim.[4] It was first described and published in Forest Fl. Port. E. Afr. on page 97 in 1909.[5]
The tree is known to the
Yoruba as ìrókò, logo or loko and is believed to have healing properties.[6] Iroko is known to the
Igbo people as ọjị wood.[7] It is one of the woods sometimes referred to as African teak,[8] although it is unrelated to the
teak family. The wood colour is initially yellow but darkens to a richer copper brown over time.
Milicia excelsa is currently listed as 'near threatened' on the IUCN Red List.[11]
Both species are
dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate individuals.[12]
Uses
The timber is used for a variety of external and internal purposes[13] including boat-building, domestic flooring, furniture and outdoor gates. From the late 1990s, it was used as part of the
txalaparta, a
Basque musical instrument constructed of wooden boards, due to its lively sound.[14] Iroko is one of the traditional
djembe woods. Iroko wood was the wood chosen for the
pews in the
Our Lady of Peace Basilica.[15]
It is a very durable wood;[16] iroko does not require regular treatment with oil or varnish when used outdoors, although it is very difficult to work with tools as it tends to splinter easily, and blunts tools very quickly.[17]
In the UK there are no trade restrictions on the machining of this timber. The only reported adverse effects known to be caused by the dust from iroko are
asthma,
dermatitis and nettle rash.[18]
Cultural beliefs
The tree is feared in some cultures where it originates and hence is shunned or revered with offerings.[19]Yoruba people believe that the tree is inhabited by a spirit, and anybody who sees the Iroko-man face to face becomes insane and speedily dies.[20] According to the Yoruba, any man who cuts down any iroko tree causes devastating misfortune on himself and all of his family,[20] although if they need to cut down the tree they can make a prayer afterwards to protect themselves.[21]
They also claim that the spirit of the Iroko can be heard in houses which use iroko wood, as the spirit of the Iroko is trapped in the wood.[20] In
Nigeria the iroko wood is of much lower quality due to soil conditions as well as root-rot.[22][23][24] Some Westerners refer to the wood as "poor man's
teak".[25]
Gallery
References
^Blench, Roger (2006). Archaeology, language, and the African past. Altamira Press.
ISBN9780759104655.