The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has indefinitely suspended the Isikhuan royal praise singers for allegedly violating a sacred Benin Palace rules and tradition.
The monarch also stripped the group’s leader, Juliet Omogui, of her traditional title of Okao and ordered her to surrender the traditional headgear, known as the “Okuku”, to the palace pending further directives.
The sanctions followed a controversial performance by the group at the residence of the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, a few days ago.
The rendition performed at the residence is reportedly a sacred royal praise song traditionally reserved exclusively for the Oba of Benin and not meant to be performed in honour of any other person.
The palace announced the decisions during an emergency meeting held yesterday at the Benin Palace, where members of the Isikhuan group were summoned to explain their roles in the incident.
Speaking at the meeting, the Obazelu of Benin, Chief Osaro Idah, described the group’s action as a serious breach of Benin customs and palace traditions.
Idah stressed that the rendition was exclusively reserved for the Benin monarch and could not be performed in honour of another individual.
He expressed particular concern that the performance took place at the residence of Igbinedion, whom he described as a respected Benin chief with a deep knowledge of the kingdom’s customs and traditions.
“It is surprising that Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, who is well versed in the customs and traditions of the Benin Kingdom and has consistently pledged to uphold them, allowed such a performance to be staged in his honour,” Idah said.
Other palace chiefs who spoke at the meeting also condemned the incident.
They included Chief Ada Igbinovia, Eribo N’Ibiwe; Chief Imade Osamuyi Amos, Oshodi N’Ibiwe; and Chief Enoma Ogiesughe, Ogiesughe N’Ewaise.
The chiefs described the performance as an act of disrespect to the Benin monarchy and a violation of traditions that have long governed the conduct of royal rites and ceremonies in the kingdom.
The palace has consequently placed the Isikhuan group’s activities on indefinite suspension, while Omogui is to remain without the Okao title and return the Okuku until further directives from the monarch.
