The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II, has unveiled the long-awaited funeral rites for his mother, an extraordinary event set to take place decades after her passing.
A statement signed by Frank Irabor, Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), a member of the palace, emphasized that the delay was not by chance but by strict adherence to Benin’s ancient customs, because the tradition of the Kingdom forbade the crown Prince (Edaiken) to perform the rites until he has been crowned the Oba.
Irabor further stated that on November 21, 2021, Oba Ewuare II posthumously honored his late mother by bestowing upon her the revered title of Iyoba, officially recognizing her as Iyoba Omo N’ Ikuoyemwen, Iyoba Ewuare II.
He revealed that the long-anticipated funeral rites will unfold in a grand series of ceremonies, commencing on February 15, 2025, and culminating on March 27, 2025.
A particularly significant moment will be the Ekasa ceremony, the second phase of the rites, during which a striking decree will take effect, that’s the suspension of traditional coral beads within the royal palace and across the kingdom.
Parts of the statement read: “In keeping with Benin customs and tradition, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin, will by the grace of God and, the royal ancestors perform in a private royal family ceremony, the funeral rites of his dear beloved mother, IYOBA OMO N’IKUOYEMWEN, IYOBA EWUARE II, who transited to eternal glory forty-nine years ago.
“For clarification purpose, in accordance with the Benin customs and tradition, the royal funeral rites could not be performed until the Edaiken (Crown Prince) ascends the throne, and crowned the OBA that the Oba had to first posthumously confer the title of Iyoba on his mother, and thereafter performs the funeral rites, hence the reason why it is taking place now.
“It will be recalled that His Royal Majesty conferred the Iyoba title posthumously on his dear mother on Sunday, 21st November, 2021.
“The first part of the ceremony will last for fourteen days. The second part begins with Ekasa immediately the first part ends. This will be the official mourning period.
“The ceremony will begin on 15th February, 2025 and ends on Friday, 28th February, 2025. The venue is Eguae Iyoba N’Uselu by 5 Junction, Benin City.
“Ekasa group will commence their ceremony on 1st March, 2025 till 27th March, 2025. The performance which will end on the last day, 27th March, 2025, would take place in the Palace of the Oba of Benin.
“From the 15th, February, 2025, when the ceremony will begin, traditional coral beads will not be used in the Palace and in the Kingdom until the end of Ekasa ceremony which is March 27, 2025″
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