The Benin Traditional Council (BTC), has released programme for the posthumous funeral rites for the late mother of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.
The Queen mother, Iyoba Omo N’Ikuoyemwen, Iyoba Ewuare II, transited 49 years ago.
The funeral which will be a private royal family ceremony, begins on Saturday, February 15 and ends on Friday, February 28, 2025.
A statement by the Secretary to BTC, Frank Irabor, noted that the posthumous funeral ceremony is in keeping with Benin customs and tradition.
The statement explained that the royal funeral rites could not have been performed until now, because the Edaiken (Crown Prince) had to first ascends the throne and be crowned the Oba, after which he must first posthumously confer the title of Iyoba on his mother, and thereafter performs the funeral rites.
“It will be recalled that His Royal Majesty conferred the Iyoba title posthumously on his dear mother on Sunday, 21st November, 2021.
“The first part of the ceremony will last for fourteen days. The second part begins with Ekasa immediately the first part ends. This will be the official mourning period.
“From the 15th when the ceremony begins, traditional coral beads will not be used in the Palace and in the Kingdom until the end of Ekasa ceremony. The whole of this period is declared the mourning period in the Kingdom,” the statement said.
Various traditional groups, including Ekasa, will perform both at the Eguae Iyoba N’Uselu by 5 Junction and the Benin palace while the funeral rites last.
