The ancient kingdom of Beni marked its new yam festival in the Edo State capital last week with Omo N’Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, CFR, saying the Emoro new yam festival is to rekindle the rich Benin cultural heritage.
The Oba of Benin said the festival is also meant to demonstrate love among one another in line with the divine order.
The first class monarch made the statement at the first Ugie Emoro festival at the Palace ground in Benin City, ahead of his 7th coronation anniversary.
The in Oba Ewuare ll disclosed that subsequently, the Emoro festival would be observed with one month prayer and fasting, by all Benin sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora, beginning from the 2024 calendar year.
The monarch said: “Emoro festival is also translated as Ugie Awe (period of fasting); it has long been celebrated in Edo State. Muslims mark their fast in the month of Ramadan, while believers in Christ have their own time to fast and pray.
“From time immemorial in Edo, our people have had their own time to fast and pray to God almighty and pray. We do not want this traditional practice to be forgotten or go extinct; this is why we remain resolute in re-enacting all the ancient traditional practices. We also pray to God almighty to keep everyone of us in good health, make us not to lack wisdom,” he added.
The Oba said he has since assuming kingship, placed the kingdom in prayer and has adjusted the general fasting and prayer time to align with the new yam festival.
“Since I ascended the throne of my forebears as the Oba of Benin, we have been praying to imbue us with wisdom to lead our people.We have adjusted the time for the fasting a bit such that as from next year (2024), we will begin to observe the fasting for a period of one month, to herald the new yam festival performance in the Palace.
“Those who support the Palace in this spiritual exercise, will get their rewards in the name of God and ancestors. That is how our ancestors said it,” Oba Ewuare II said.
He called on Benin sons and daughters, various groups and heads of deities and other stakeholders in Benin Kingdom to be alive to their responsibilities, strengthen the bond of unity among them and resist attempts that could make ancient traditional practices and norms in Edo State go extinct.
Offering his prayers to God Almighty and his ancestors, Oba Ewuare II, who spoke in Bini language, thereafter, ceremonially warded-off evil and social vices, including bloodshed, kidnappings, banditry, cultism from Edo State and Nigeria in general
The colourful festival featured Igiohen, Ikao, with members of the Edo State House of Assembly, led by the speaker, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, Okhaigheles (youth leaders), Enigie (Dukes), palace chiefs, Ayelala traditional worshippers as well as princesses and other members of the Benin royal family, including Oba Ewuare II’s eldest daughter, Princess Ikuoyemwen Ewuare-Aimiuwu and Edionwere (village heads) in Benin Kingdom.
Other attractions were performances by Ohaneze Ndigbo, Arewa and YorubacCommunities in Edo State; homages from politicians, including Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former deputy governor of the state, Mr Lucky Imasuen, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), among others..
Guests were entertained with music, cultural dances and lavish pounded yam dishes and assorted drinks.
