The Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Edo State, has warned of dire consequences for dressing like traditional title holders or the Queens (Iloi) of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.
The warning followed alleged abuse, aberration and abomination of the cherished age-long customs and tradition of the Kingdom.
The Osuma of Benin, Chief Norense Ozigbo-Esere disclosed this to journalists on behalf of the BTC in Benin City on Friday.
He said individuals who engage in such are fond of adorning themselves with Benin chieftaincy traditional paraphernalia during marriage and burial ceremonies.
Ozigbo-Esere named such paraphernalia to include the round coral bead (Ikele), Eben (ceremonial sword) and Okuku (Queens head gear).
He warned that the consequences of the breach and violation of the age-long customs and tradition would be met with serious consequences.
He said: “The dressing mode of a true Benin person during marriages, burials ceremonies and other social events is Ewu Iwu dress with the long coral beads called Udeguogho.
“The indiscriminate abuse of the coral bead (Ikele), Eben and Okuku would no longer be tolerated by the Palace of the Oba of Benin.”
According to the palace chief, the Eben (ceremonial sword) is only used by titled chiefs when paying homage to the Oba of Benin, which he said should not be part of the items to be used during marriage and burial ceremonies.
“It has also been noticed that some women and cultural groups, as part of their dressing mode, adorn themselves with full paraphernalia head-gear of the Oba’s wives (Queens).
“Let it be known by the general public that HRM, Ewuare II, Oba Oba of Benin, has directed the Chiefs, Priests and Priestesses of various deities in Benin Kingdom to place a curse on those that would henceforth engage in this abominable and denigrating act of Benin customs and tradition as laid down by our ancestors,” he added.
