23rd December, 2021
By Imelda Osayande
In continuation of the traditional and spiritual activities at the ongoing annual Igue festival, Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Ewuare II performed Ugie-Otue (Oba’s rite) on Thursday in his palace.
Ugie Otue (Oba ceremony) is a rite which offers immense opportunities for various categories of palace chiefs, functionaries, and different guilds to pay homage and declare unalloyed allegiance to the Oba.
Significantly, the rite also allows palace chiefs and functionaries, according to their endowments or hierarchical order, to get kolanuts gifts from the Oba in recognition of their commitment and loyalty over the years.
Thursday’s ceremony saw the display of different palace groups – the “Ifiento’’ (palace warriors), “Ikpema’’ (Royal Drummers), the Emelhe (ancient royal praise singers) supply spiritual rendition in line with customs.
Those in attendance adhered strictly to COVID-19 safety protocols.