Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom and Edaiken N’ Uselu, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa will Saturday begin the coronation ceremony of becoming the 39th Oba of Benin of Kingdom.
Prince Erediauwa who will be the 70th king of Benin when counted from the era of the Ógisos will trek from his Uselu Palace to Benin
The city centre and environs is wearing a new look while all traders and drivers carrying out commercial activities around the Urhokpota Hall have been chased away.
Urhokpota is the place called Eko-Ohae (bachelors’ camp) where Prince Erediauwa is expected to stay for three days immediately he leaves his Palace at Uselu.
A huge tent that will serve as a temporary abode for the Crown Prince has been erected at the Urhokpota hall premises.
Speaking on the coronation ceremonies, Chairman of the Coronation Planning Committee and Enogie of Evbuobanosa/Abdul, Prof. Gregory Akenzua, said all burial ceremonies have been prohibited throughout the period of the coronation process.
Prof. Akenzua said the Edaiken, in a foot procession would be escorted by the peoples of Uselu to Oredo.
He stated that on his way, the Edaiken would stop at the sacred Palm tree called Udin Amamieson-aimiuwa. The palm tree is over 500 years old and it was first climbed by Oba Ewuare during his sojourn in the forest.
From the sacred palm tree, Prince Erediauwa goes to Iya-akpan where Chiefs from Oredo take over and escort him to Eko-Ohae.
Prof. Akenzua further explained that the Edaiken will on October 10 leave Ekpo-Ohae for Usama Palace, the location of the Oba’s Palace before it was moved by Oba Ewedo in the 11th century.
It is at Usama Palace that the coronation will take place by the Usama N’ Ihiron.
Akenzua said the Edaiken will go to Use village for the ceremony of choosing a name and on Thursday October 20, the Edaiken leaves Usama for Urhokpota for presentation of staff of office.
He said the use of Coral Beads would be restored by those entitled to use them.
