Igue festival: Benin Monarch bans burial rites

By Kingsley Abavo, Benin

Palace of the Benin Monarch, HRM Oba Ewuare II has announced burial rites will not be permitted during the annual Igue festival, which begins today, Tuesday (Ekioba) December 19, 2023 with Ugierhoba (indoors) Ceremony.

Iyamu O. Marley in a statement signed on behalf of the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), said Otue IgueOba Ceremony where all Palace Chiefs appear and pay homage to the Oba holds on Wednesday (Ekenaka) December 20th, 2023, beginning at 3p.m.

This will be followed by Igue Oba (indoors) Ceremony, Thursday (Agbado) December 21, 2023, while on Saturday (Ekioba) December 23rd, 2023 is slated for Ugie-Emobo Ceremony where all Chiefs and Palace functionaries will be in attendance by 3p.m.

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, the statement said.

While Igue Edohia, which is the day all Edo people perform their individual worship in their homes, is slated for Monday (Agbado) December 25th, 2023.

Ugie Ewere Ceremony of bringing ‘Ewere’ (blessings) to all homes is billed for Tuesday (Eken) December 26th, 2023 at 3p.m. and accordingly, sitting arrangement will be made for visitors at the Palace.

Omo N’Oba will conclude the festival on the 31st December, 2023 with a thanksgiving worship to God and his ancestors at the Holy Aruosa Cathedral — Edo National Church on Akpakpava Road, Benin City, it was said.

Further, the statement informed that engagement may be fixed for any ‘free day’ in which case, announcement will be made as appropriate.

Praying God and the ancestors should enable a successful celebration by the people of the Kingdom, the statement announced: “We use 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”.