Oba of Benin: Read what all the males citizens of Benin Kingdom were told to do
– Every male citizen of Benin Kingdom has been asked to clean-shave the hair on their heads in honour of the late Oba of Benin
– The shaving of the head is a Benin traditional burial rite of the transited monarch
– The Benin Traditional Council warned that anyone who failed to adhere to the directive should be ready to face the wrath of the ancestors
The Benin Traditional Council, has warned that all male citizens of Benin Kingdom, both at home and in diaspora, are expected to clean-shave the hair on their heads, in obedience to Benin traditional burial rite of the transited Monarch, or face the wrath of the ancestors.
The Oba of Benin died on Friday, April 29.
The council gave the warning on Wednesday, April 4, in Benin while announcing to journalists that the burial rites for the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolopkolo, Oba Erediauwa, who recently joined his ancestors, would soon commence.
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Led by the prime minister and Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, the council said while no one would be forced to comply with the directive, all male citizens of the Kingdom are expected to respect the custom and tradition of Benin Kingdom as they are expected to clean shave their heads with effect from 29th April, 2016.
“All our friends and well-wishers, including all those who live with us and work for their livelihood within our kingdom, may wish to join us in this action,” he said.
When asked if there was any sanction against those who fail to shave their hair, the Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri said for true Benins, the sanction is between them and their ancestors.
Speaking further, Igbe said all funeral rites would be prohibited in Benin Kingdom from the date the funeral rites of the Monarch is announced, till the end of all ceremonies.
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He therefore called on all those who have funeral ceremonies to perform to do so before the Oba’s burial rites are announced.
The Oba of Benin died on Friday, April 29, after a battle with an unknown illness since last year. His death was formally announced by the prime minister and Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, in the presence of other traditional chiefs and Enigie (Dukes), with the traditional braking of native chalk at the entrance of the palace.
Reacting to the late monarch’s death, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed his sincere condolences to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the people of Benin Kingdom and Edo state.
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