Benin Traditional Council Prohibits Wearing Of Oba, Queens’ Costumes At Ceremonies
LAGOS JANUARY 26TH (NEWSRANGERS)-The Benin Tradition Council has banned the wearing of chieftaincy traditional costumes specifically meant for the Oba of Benin, Oba’s wives, the royal family and titled chiefs by members of the public during ceremonies.
DAILY POST reports that the Benin Traditional Council listed such costumes as round coral bead (lkele), Eben (ceremonial word) and Okuku (head-gear for the Oba’s wives (Queens).
A statement signed by seven palace chiefs during a press briefing on Friday in Benin City, described the wearing of the chieftaincy traditional costumes by a non-member of the royal family as an abuse, aberration and abomination of the Benin customs and tradition.
The chiefs said that the costumes were being used by “uninformed and disgruntled elements” when performing marriage and burial ceremonies.
They equally invoked the spirits of the Benin ancestors on those wearing the costumes during marriages and burial ceremonies, as well as some women and cultural groups who use them as part of their dressing mode.
The chiefs warned that the women
that put on Okuku (head-gear for the Oba’s queens) are inadvertently bringing curses to themselves.
The statement said, “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 themselves with Benin chieftaincy traditional paraphernalia such as the round coral bead (lkele), Eben
and Okuku.
“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, adorn
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 (lloi) of the Oba of Benin. Those women that put on this Okuku are inadvertently bringing curses to themselves.
“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 II, 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 of our very revered cherished Benin customs and tradition as laid down by our ancestors.
“Be it known that the consequences of the breach and violation of this age-long customs and tradition would be meant with serious consequences on those involved and their generations yet unborn.”
The chiefs stressed that the dressing mode of a true Benin person during marriage, burial ceremonies and other social events are Ewu Iwu dress with the long coral beads called Udeguoghọ.
DailyPost
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Posted by News Rangers
on Jan 26 2025. Filed under National.
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