The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has expressed angst at a dance by a groom, Izoduwa Imasuen, at his traditional marriage in which he and his men danced and twirled the traditional royal scepter, the Eben.
The marriage ceremony which was captured on video that has gone viral on social media has incurred the wrath of the revered monarch for undermining the tradition of the kingdom.
The oba in a statement signed by the Esere of Benin, Chief S. 0. Obamwonyi, described the action as an abomination, aberration and a distortion of Benin traditional marriage processes and procedures.
He warned that only title holders are traditionally allowed to twirl the Eben while paying homage to the Oba, and is never a part of marriage ceremony.
“The attention of the Benin Traditional Council has been drawn to a traditional marriage of one Izoduwa Imasuen which took place on 26th August, 2023.
“It was observed that during the marriage ceremony, Izoduwa Imasuen and his men were twirling the traditional Eben while dancing.
“Twirling of Eben is never a part of marriage ceremony. The palace of the Oba of Benin condemns this act by lzoduwa Imasuen and his groom’s men in all ramifications.
“His Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin has instructed the Ewaise group to place a curse on all those that are undermining and bringing into frivolities and disrepute our highly valued age-long tradition.
“The general public, especially those that are planning traditional marriages should endeavour to stick to the acceptable customs and tradition, and avoid bastardisation and self-imposed curses.”
