Nosa Akenzua
The Oba of Benin Palace in Benin City, Edo State, on Friday, placed curses on individuals, collaborators plotting to rubbish Benin monarchy and those peddling false narratives about its customs and tradition on social media.
Addressing newsmen in Benin shortly after some palace chiefs comprising traditional physicians, priests, priestesses, and Ayelala devotees performed the solemn ritual at the main entrance to the Benin Palace in Benin City, Edo State, Chief Norense Ozigbo-Esere, the Osuma of Benin, leading other palace chiefs, said the consequences of the breach and violation of this age-long customs and tradition would be met with serious consequences for those involved and their generations yet unborn.
“It has come to the attention of the Benin Traditional Council that some individuals have formed the habit of indulging in the abuse, aberration and abomination of the well-cherished Benin customs and tradition. It has been noticed for some time now that some uninformed and disgruntled elements, when performing marriage and burial ceremonies, adorn themseives with Benin
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Eben is only used by titled chiefs when paying homage to the Oba of Benin. The Eben has not and is not part of the items used during marriage and burial ceremonies.
“It has also been noticed that some women and cultural groups as part of their dressing mode, adorm themselves with full paraphernalia head-gear of the Oba’s wives (Queens) known as Okuku. It should be stated clearly that the Okuku is only worn by the Queens (Iloi) of the Oba of Benin. Those women that put on this Okuku are inadvertently bringing curses to themselves.
“The dressing mode of a true Benin person during marriages, burtals ceremonies and other social events is Ewu lwu dress with the long coral beads called Udegugghg.
“The indiscriminate abuse of the coral bead (Ikele), Eben and Okuku would no longer be tolerated by the Palace of the Oba of Benin.
“Let it be known by the general public that His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare Il, CFR, Oba of Benin has directed the Chiefs, Priests and Priestesses of various deities in Benin Kingdom to place a CURSE on those that would henceforth engage in this abominable, sacrilegious and denigrating act against our very revered, cherished Benin customs and tradition as laid down by our ancestors,”Ozigbo-Esere said.
Libations were poured on ancient spiritual traditional weapons, while traditional physicians blew occipital horns, and summoned ancestral spirits to bear witness against those seeking to destabilise the kingdom.
Specifically, the curse targets conspiracy theorists spreading false information, creating memes, or misusing palace insignia and individuals that disrespect the Benin monarchy.
They also condemned the unauthorised use of ceremonial swords, otherwise called ‘Ada and Eben’, during social events, including burials and birthday celebrations.
They also condemned unauthorised use of sacred Benin royal paraphernalia, including Benin royal costumes by Benin chiefs and Ikele’ beads, ‘Okuku hairstyle’ — reserved for specific members of Benin Royal family.
Merchants of violence in some villages and Communities in Edo State and their cohorts, both at home and diaspora, were also not spared during the spiritual exercise.