The Oba of Benin Palace in Benin City, Edo State, has issued stern warnings and performed ritual curses against individuals and groups accused of abusing, misrepresenting, or desecrating the revered customs and traditions of the Benin Kingdom.
On Friday, Palace Chiefs, including traditional physicians, priests, priestesses, and Ayelala devotees, carried out a solemn ritual at the palace’s main entrance.
The Osuma of Benin, Chief Norense Ozigbo-Esere, who led the ceremony, reeled out the grave consequences awaiting those who violate these sacred practices.
“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,” the palace declared.
The palace specifically condemned practices such as: wearing the Eben, a ceremonial sword reserved for titled chiefs when paying homage to the Oba, during weddings and funerals. Adorning the Okuku, a distinctive headgear exclusive to the Oba’s wives (Queens), by women or cultural groups.
“Those women who put on this Okuku are inadvertently bringing curses to themselves,” the palace warned.
The statement clarified the proper attire for true Benin individuals during ceremonies, which includes the Ewu Iwu dress and long coral beads known as Udegugghg.
The misuse of royal symbols such as the Ikele beads, Okuku hairstyle, and ceremonial swords (Ada and Eben) was described as sacrilegious.
To address these breaches, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, directed chiefs, priests, and priestesses to invoke curses on those perpetuating these acts.
The ceremony involved libations on ancient weapons, blowing of horns, and summoning ancestral spirits to witness and enforce the warnings.
The curse targets individuals spreading false narratives, creating memes, and misusing palace insignia, particularly during burials, birthdays, or other social events.
The Benin Palace reiterated its commitment to preserving the integrity of its age-old traditions, warning that such abominations will bring misfortune to the offenders and their descendants.
