Burial rites not permitted during Igue festival, Oba of Benin Palace warns residents

The Oba of Benin Palace on Monday approved the 2024 programme of activities for the annual Igue festival, otherwise called ‘Ugie’, during which ‘funeral celebrations are not permitted in Benin’.

In a statement, Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Mr. Frank Irabor, said Omo N’Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, the Oba of Benin, prayed God to keep death from people’s homes during the festival, starting with the Otue Ugieroba ceremony, where all Benin Chiefs will appear and pay homage to the Oba on Saturday, December 14th, 2024, at 3 p.m.

The event will be followed by the Ugierhoba traditional rites on December 17th, 2024, when all eligible Benin Chiefs will appear in a ceremonial dance procession with ceremonial swords (Eben) in the Oba Palace.

The Otue Igue Oba ceremony, where all Benin Chiefs will appear to pay homage to the Oba, is scheduled for December 21st, 2024, in the Oba Palace.

The Igue Oba traditional rite, which will be attended by all eligible Benin Chiefs, is expected to begin at 1 p.m., with a ceremonial dance procession with the Eben.

On Friday, December 27th, 2024, the Ugie Emobo traditional ceremony will take place, with all Benin Chiefs and Palace functionaries present at the Oba Palace at 3 p.m., ahead of the Igue Ivbioba (Benin Princes and Princesses) ceremony in the evening of the same day. Those concerned will fix their own time for the ceremony.

Similarly, Igue Edohia, a day set aside for all Edo people to perform their individual worship in their homes, is scheduled for Sunday, December 29th, 2024.

Also, on Monday, December 30th, 2024, Ugie Ewere—the ceremony of bringing ‘Ewere’ blessings to all homes—will start at 3 p.m.

The palace reminds the general public that engagements may be fixed for any ‘free day’, in which case, announcements will be made as appropriate.

The Palace also clarified that “There will be seating arrangements on 17th, 23rd, and 30th December 2024, for visitors.”

Part of the programme read, “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.”