What is "alounloun"

Alounloun is a Beninese musical instrument, used to play music called Adjogan. It is a stick with metallic rings attached which jingle in time with the beating of the stick. The alounloun is said to descend from the staff of office of King Te-Agdanlin. The Alounloun was established for the royal court in the Porto-Novo area and was initially intended to be a symbol of the king's power. It become a tradition to use the Alounloun to honor eminent officials in the royal court. An Alounloun is on display at the Royal Palace Museum in Porto-Novo.