Oba of Benin palace in Benin City says burial rites in Benin will not be permitted during the annual Igue Festival, which begins on Tuesday (Ekioba) December 19, 2023, with Ugierhoba (indoors) Ceremony.
Mr Iyamu O. Marley, in a statement signed on behalf of Secretary to Benin Traditional Council (BTC), said Otue Igue Oba Ceremony, where all Palace Chiefs appear and pay homage to the Oba on Wednesday (Ekenaka) December 20, 2023, beginning at 3pm.
This will be followed by Igue Oba (indoors) Ceremony, Thursday (Agbado) December 21, 2023, while on Saturday (Ekioba) December 23, 2023, is slated for Ugie-Emobo Ceremony, where all Chiefs and palace functionaries will be in attendance by 3pm.
On the same day, Igue-Ivbioba (Benin Princes and Princesses) would fix their own time on the same day to mark Igue with their families.
Igue Edohia, which is the day all Edo people perform their individual worship in their homes, is slated for Monday (Agbado) December 25, 2023, according to the statement.
Ugie Ewere (Ceremony of bringing ‘Ewere’ blessings to all homes is billed for Tuesday (Eken) December 26, 2023, at 3pm. Accordingly, sitting arrangement will be made for visitors at the Palace.
Omo N’Oba will conclude the festival on the 31st December 2023 with thanksgiving worship to God and ancestors at the Holy Aruosa Cathedral — Edo National church on Akpakpava Road, Benin City
Engagement may be fixed for any ‘free day’, in which case, announcement will be made as appropriate. The statement, “prayed God and our ancestors grant us to be able to be able to participate in the activities.
The statement uses “this medium to remind the public and appeal to them that celebrations of burial rites are not permitted during the period of the annual Royal festival. We pray God to keep death from people’s homes”.
