Members of Benin Traditional Council
The Benin Traditional Council has
announced the translation of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba n’Edo,
Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, to his ancestors.
The announcement was made Friday by the
Prime Minister and Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, in company
of other traditional Chiefs and Enigie (Dukes), with the traditional
braking of native chalk at the entrance of the palace.
While announcing the translation, the
Iyase said: “Osorhue Bunrun. Oba Erediauwa of Benin Kingdom, the
Prince if Peace, Ebo, Ayemwirhe, emini mini mini, has returned with
his ancestors. May he find perfect peace with God.”
Following the breaking of the native
chalk at the main entrance of the palace, all the chiefs and enigie
broke doen in tears and wail for the translated monarch.
In accordance with the Benin
traditional mourning rites for a translated Monarch, every male in
the kingdom is expected to shave his head throughout the mourning
period that may last for up to three months, while all markets in the
kingdom are to remain closed for about seven days.
The Benin Crown Prince and Edaiken of
Benin, Eheneden Erediauwa, who arrived at the palace at about 1:10n
from his Uselu resistance, was formally informed of the translation
of his father, before it was publicly announced.
The late Monarch was crowned Oba of
Benin in March, 1979.
Reacting to the announcement of the
translation of the Monarch, the Obadolagbonyi of Benin Kingdom, Chief
Omon-Osagie Utetenegiabi, said:
“Yes, it is traditional. It is
customary that when a sitting Oba becomes an ancestor, translates to
a greater glory. The Oba of Benin does not die because he is an
institution; he mainly translates to a high glory as an ancestor.
“The news is first broken to his
eldest son and the immediate family which was done earlier today. And
the Iyase of Benin, as the highest ranking Chief now breaks the news
to the people of Benin Kingdom and the world. Iyase is the
traditional Prime Minister and the bridge between the people and the
royalty and that is what he has done today.
“From today until the expiration of
‘Emwinekhua’ all Benin Chiefs, all chiefs that have been entitled
by the Oba to wear the round bead round their necks, which is two,
will now wear one. It is customary because when you see a Chief wears
one bead, it shows that we are in a state of mourning. After today,
we are awaiting further instructions on what to do.
“Oba Eredia uwa is the Oba of Peace,
the Oba who brought prosperity to his people, the Oba who understands
his people. He makes sure that no one was offended, the Oba who could
sit in judgment and give judgment against his own son for a commoner.
It is rare. Oba Erediauwa is the best that has happened to Benin
Kingdom in more than 1,600 years.”
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