Stop abuse of Benin traditional attire, Monarchs warn

The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) on Thursday warned sons and daughters at home and in the Diaspora against the abuse of the Benin traditional attire for social and cultural ceremonies.

Addressing newsmen in Benin on the rising cases of misuse of the traditional Bini dressing and traditional paraphernalia, the palace chiefs led by Chief Norense Ozigbo-Esere Osuma of Benin cautioned Bini sons and daughters at home and in the Diaspora on the use of traditional paraphernalia.

He said that the Oba of Benin, Ewuare Il, has directed that Okuku is a traditional hairdo strictly for the Queens of the monarch and is therefore, not allowed to be used by any other woman.

He also said that the Okuku hairdo, which is a traditional hairdo strictly for the Queens of the monarch, was of religious and cultural significance, which cannot be explained to the un-initiated.

“They are ‘not for mere decoration even though they have aesthetic value,” he stressed.

He added that the Ada (Scepter)

and Eben (scimitar) were prohibited for public use and are to be used only by authorised person(s), noting that they are not to be used at funerals, marriages, birthday parties and other social events.

According to the Palace Chief, dressing with a long bead is recommended for every Benin male who wishes to adorn Benin traditional outfit in the absence of using Agbada, Buba, and Sokoto

The Osuma of Benin Kingdom enlightened the people on the cultural outfit of the Binis, noting that the bottom part of the Ewu Iwu (referred to as Ebuluku) should not be Ododo form and should not be adorned with symbols of the Palm trees star, moon, sun, leopard, as these are of religious and cultural significance to the Oba of Benin.

Among the Palace Chiefs who addressed the issue on the Bini cultural and traditional paraphernalia on behalf of the Oba include Norense Ozigbo-Esere, Osuma of Benin; George Igie Ekhator-Obasogie, Obasogie of Benin; Edionwe Ohila, Oliha of Benin; Stanley Obamwonyi, Esere of Benin; Osarodion Idaho, Obazelu of Benin; Ada Ogbinovia, Eribo of Benin, and Okuhoghae Edomwandagbon, Ine of Benin Kingdom.