Traditional Council Releases Funeral Rites for Oba of Benin

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Benin Traditional Council has announced the royal funeral rites of the passage of Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa.
A statement signed by the Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council and Frank Irabor, and made available to journalists in Benin City yesterday, said the programme of events would last for 15 days
beginning from tomorrow May 25, 2016, to end on June 8, 2016.

Irabor. who listed the funeral rites as Ekioba, Ekenaka, Agbado and Eken (palace rites), noted that performance of the rites was the sole responsibility of the Edaiken N’Uselu and heir apparent to the Benin throne.
He said as soon as the funeral rites kick off, all burial ceremonies in Benin are prohibited.

The statement which advised people to go about their normal businesses, however warned of the need to stay away from places where traditional rites which are not open to the public are performed.

Assuring that the council would work with security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property during the period, non-indigenes were nevertheless advised to show respect and cooperate with Benin old-age customs and tradition.

“As Edo people, we cherish the common history and heritage we share, therefore, it is our expectation that we should come together in a common understanding of things we must do during this period of mourning,” Irabor stated.
Warning all trouble makers and their likes who might want to take advantage of the period as an opportunity to foment trouble and cause disorder, the Benin Traditional Council declared that it would not tolerate any such behaviour, adding that unfamiliar sounds which are intended to warn people, especially women to keep away might be heard in places where such rites are being performed, but that this should not case any anxiety among people.