Mogues in Edo South Senatorial District witnessed unusual visits at the weekend as families of deceased relatives rushed to remove their remains for burial rites......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>
Blueprint correspondents observed that while mogues operators had a hectic day following the high petronages, most events centres were also fully booked for funerals, socials and receptions for invited guests.
A member of a family who was at a morgue on Uwa Street in Benin City, Osamudiamen Okungbowa said, “I am here to retrieve the remains of my late mum for burial.
“My mother’s corpse has been in the mortuary for some time, and you know that goes with expenses. If I don’t bury her and hold the funeral rites now, it means I will only be able to do that late January 2025.
“As a Benin man, I have to obey what the tradition demands. The Oba has spoken, because the yearly Igue festival will commence on December 14 and there will be no funeral ceremonies at the time.”
The development came as the ban on funeral rites by the Oba of Benin, HRM, Ewuare II, would take effect on December 14 to the New Year.
A statement issued by the secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Mr. Frank Irabor, had indicated that the ban followed the commencement of the traditional ritual Igue festival on the said date.
According to the statement, “We use this medium to remind the public and appeal to them that celebrations of burial rites are not permitted during the period of the annual Royal festival. We pray to God to keep death from people’s homes.”
