The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, has announced the suspension of all funeral and burial activities throughout the 2025 Igue Festival period, in keeping with age-long Benin customs and traditions.

The royal proclamation is contained in the official programme of activities for this year’s festival, released on Thursday and endorsed by the Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Mr Frank Irabor.

The festival, also known as Ugie, will commence on 14 December with the Ugierhoba (indoor) rites.

According to the BTC, the Oba prayed for God’s protection and the blessings of the royal ancestors upon the people of Edo State and Nigerians at large, asking that death be kept far from every household during the festive season.

The programme shows that the Otue Igue Oba ceremony will hold on 16 December. The Ugie-Emobo rite, one of the most significant spiritual ceremonies of the monarchy, will follow on 20 December at 3 p.m.

On 22 December, Edo sons and daughters will observe Igue Edohia, the traditional day set aside for personal worship in their homes.

The widely celebrated Ugie Ewere, when the symbolic “Ewere” leaf is distributed as a token of blessing and renewal, is slated for 23 December.

The palace noted that there will be designated seating arrangements for visitors on that day.

The 2025 Igue celebrations will climax on Sunday, 28 December, with a thanksgiving worship by Oba Ewuare II at the Holy Aruosa Cathedral, on Akpakpava Road, Benin City, beginning at 10 a.m.

The BTC added that engagements may be scheduled on any free festival day, with announcements to be made as necessary.

The Igue Festival, one of Africa’s oldest surviving cultural celebrations, is central to the spiritual rejuvenation of the Benin Kingdom and attracts both national and international attention each year. (Nigerian Tribune)