Oba of Benin announces funeral rites for mother 49 years after death
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has released the guideline of programmes for the funeral rites of his mother, Iyoba Ewuare, II, who died in 1976, which is 49 years ago.
This is according to a statement signed on Sunday by the Secretary, Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor.
The monarch’s mother died on November 21, 2021.
However, the reason for the delay in the burial rites was because, according to the Benin customs and tradition, the now-Oba, formerly a Crown Prince, was forbidden from performing the rites as he was yet to ascend the throne when his mother died .
The ceremony will begin on February 15, 2025, and end on March 27, 2025. The venue is Eguae Iyoba N’Uselu by 5 Junction, Benin City, the state capital.
More so, right from the commencement of the ceremony, the use of traditional coral beads will be suspended in the Palace and the Kingdom until the end of the Ekasa ceremony which is March 27, 2025.
“In keeping with Benin customs and tradition, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin, will by the grace of God and, the royal ancestors perform in a private royal family ceremony, the funeral rites of his dear beloved mother, Iyoba Omo N’Ikuoyemwen, Iyoba Ewuare, II, who transited to eternal glory forty-nine years ago.
“For clarification purposes, in accordance with the Benin customs and tradition, the royal funeral rites could not be performed until the Edaiken (Crown Prince) ascends the throne, and crowned the Oba that the Oba had to first posthumously confer the title of Iyoba on his mother, and thereafter performs the funeral rites, hence the reason why it is taking place now.
“It will be recalled that His Royal Majesty conferred the Iyoba title posthumously on his dear mother on Sunday, 21st November 2021. Ekasa group will commence their ceremony on 1st March 2025 till 27th March 2025. The performance which will end on the last day, 27th March 2025, will take place in the Palace of the Oba of Benin.
“From the 15th, February 2025, when the ceremony will begin, traditional coral beads will not be used in the Palace and the Kingdom until the end of the Ekasa ceremony which is March 27, 2025. The whole of this period is declared the mourning period in the Kingdom,” the statement read partly.
