Shave your heads or risk ancestors’ wrath, Benin council warns residents

The Benin traditional council has advised residents of the kingdom to shave their heads in honour of Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, the late of Oba of Benin.

David Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin kingdom, said sanctions from the ancestors await anyone that failed to shave.

Sam Igbe, the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, asked the people to bury their dead ones as all funeral rites would be prohibited from the date of the announcement of burial ceremonies (Emwinekhua) of late Oba Erediauwa.

He told journalists that the Emwinekhua would soon be announced.

The Iyase of Benin Kingdom urged all residents to be law abiding and respect the custom and tradition of the people.

“All markets in the kingdom have been reopened as they were supposed to be closed for three days after the transition of Oba Erediauwa was announced,” he said.

“All male citizens of Benin Kingdom are expected, as a rule to shave the hair on their head in obedience to Benin tradition.

“Friends and well-wishers of the kingdom might wish to join citizens of the kingdom to shave their hair.”

He added that all chiefs, `enigie’, priests and palace functionaries entitled to wear beads would seize to wear beads

“Instead, they will wear `omonorhue’ or white thread (Ikhian), until further notice,” he said.