The Benin monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare the second has kick started the 2024 Benin annual festival with the observance of otue-ugierhoba rite
Otue Ugierhoba rite is a gate way to series of events in-which top palace Chiefs pay homage and renew their loyalty to the monarch as well as spirits of the royal ancestors.
Omo N’Oba leverages on the sacred ceremony to formally notify the ancestors and guardian spirits of the kick-off of the Igue festival, solicit for abundance blessings, good health as well as the general wellbeing of the kingdom.
Oba Ewuare, on his way to Ugha-Erhoba (ancestral hall) where the ceremony was performed, stopped briefly at Aruo -Ozolua shrine to pay a passionate homage to ancestors for protection just as Emehel group (Royal praise singers) offered spiritual rendition for early acceptance by spirits of the land.
Accompanied by various categories of palace Chiefs, enigie, priests and priestesses of different deities, royal family members as well as top palace functionaries, Oba Ewuare proceeded to Ugha-Erhoba (ancestral hall) where the sacred rites were performed
Head of Ihogbe group, Ihama N’Ihogbe presided over the traditional rites and homage to ancestors, which affords the monarch the right of full commencement of Igue festival.
