By Idahosa Musa
Tumultuous adulating crowd witnessed the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, on Tuesday performed the Isoton rite of his Queen mother, Iyoba Omo N’ikuoyemwen, Iyoba Ewuare II, 49 years after her transition.
Isoton is a traditional rite of procession in memory of the departed person’s spirit in Benin Kingdom as it’s usually heralded by public display of the departed person’s affluence during his/her sojourn on earth.
The display of Akọ, a human effigy, symbolizing the departed royal Matriarch preceded by Oba Ewuare II, who led the pack in a procession from his Palace to the sacred Emotan deity at the King’s Square in Benin City where he offered prayers for the repose of the soul of Queen mother, Iyoba Omo N’ikuoyemwen, Iyoba Ewuare II.
Thereafter, a Priest assigned to Emotan deity offered Oba Ewuare II items for Isoton on behalf of his family to Emotan through the Emotan Priest who in turn gave him two chunks of white native chalk (Osorhue), amid cheers by royal fans after ancestral spirits were invoked to bear witness and announce his arrival.
Retreating to his Palace, the first-Class traditional ruler met the Isoton group from Eguae Iyoba at Uselu led by his representative, Oziya.
Oziya, twirled the ceremonial sword shortly after the Oba departed Emotan and proceeded to Uselu with other royal family members on foot in continuation of Isoton in accordance with Benin customs and traditions.
Thereafter, Oba Ewuare II, paid tributes at the various pilgrimage sites, including Queen Iden tomb beside Oba market where cheerful crowd of traders abandoned their wares to catch a glimpse of the royal personage and joined the celebration.
Personalities across different spectrums, including the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku and a former Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero and a former governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Isa Yuguda attended the colourful ceremony.
Various Palace groups including Royal drummers in their philharmonic Orchestra, supplied the needed impetus in the ongoing special historical events.
HRM, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II CFR, praying to Almighty God and his Ancestors during Isoton funeral rites in honor of his beloved Queen Mother, Iyoba Omo N’ Ikuoyemwen, Iyoba Ewuare II at the sacred Emotan shrine at the King’s Square in the ancient City of Benin Kingdom, Edo State of Nigeria.
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