Our reporter
The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has issued a strong condemnation against individuals who have been seen misusing and adulterating Benin customs and traditions, particularly in relation to key cultural symbols.
The council raised concerns about the improper use of sacred items like the round coral beads (Ikele), the Eben, and the Okuku, stressing that such practices are damaging to the cultural integrity of the Benin Kingdom.
Speaking to journalists, the BTC expressed its dismay over the growing trend where certain uninformed individuals, particularly during marriage and burial ceremonies, wear traditional Benin regalia that are reserved exclusively for titled chiefs and the Oba’s Queens.
The council clarified that the Eben, which is a significant symbol in Benin tradition, is strictly for the use of titled chiefs when paying homage to the Oba of Benin. It is not to be worn during personal ceremonies like marriages or funerals. The BTC also pointed out the misuse of the Okuku, a headgear traditionally worn only by the Oba’s wives, known as Iloi.
“Women and cultural groups who wear the Okuku are inadvertently bringing curses upon themselves,” the council warned. “The Okuku is a royal adornment and is not for public use. Those who wear it without the proper status or authority are engaging in a sacrilegious act.”
The BTC also highlighted that the traditional Benin attire for such ceremonies is the Ewu lwu dress, complemented by long coral beads, known as Udegugghg. The misappropriation of these sacred regalia, the council emphasised, will no longer be tolerated.
In a stern message, the council disclosed that His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, has instructed the Chiefs, Priests, and Priestesses of various Benin deities to place a curse on anyone found guilty of this “abominable and sacrilegious” act. The BTC made it clear that violating these age-old traditions could have severe repercussions, not just for the individuals involved, but potentially for their descendants.
The council’s statement serves as a clear reminder to all Benin sons and daughters, as well as the general public, to respect and uphold the revered customs of the Benin Kingdom, as laid down by their ancestors. Those found in violation, it was stressed, would face serious consequences that could affect future generations.
The BTC urged the public to remain vigilant and mindful of the sanctity of Benin’s rich cultural heritage, particularly in the face of growing attempts to undermine it.
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