For the first time in 36 years, the people of Uselu Community in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State now have a traditional ruler. The Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, was installed as the Edaiken N’ Uselu. The last time an Edaiken was installed was in 1978.
Uselu, which is regarded as Evbuo-Iyoba (The Queen mother’s community) existed since the era of the Ogisos but it got its present status, housing the Eguae-Iyoba (Palace of the Queen Mother and Egua-Edaiken were gotten during the reign of Oba Ewuare and Oba Esigie.
Oba Esigie established the Eguae-Iyoba for his mother, Queen Idia, who was a warrior that fought wars. The domain was carved out for her to prevent a power tussle between the Queen mother and the King. Queen mothers are presently sent to live in Eguae-Iyoba after her son had become king.
The Edaiken N’Uselu title was established by Oba Ewuare when he sent his son to hold brief for a man called Iken of Uselu. Iken was a powerful warrior who challenged the authority of the Oba. He was said to have prevented Uselu people from paying tributes to the Oba. When the people of Owo revolted against Oba Ewuare, the Oba sent Iken to quench the revolt. Iken was also not to return from the war alive. He was killed on his way back.
Oba Ewuare had to send his son Kuoboyuwa to hold brief for Iken and named him the Edayi N Iken. It was since that period that the first son of every Oba is conferred with the title of Edaiken. He lived at the Palace until he is called upon to ascend the throne in Benin as Oba. The Egua-Edaiken is a temporary abode for the Crown Prince. Buildings erected on the vast land are left to rot until another Edaiken is installed.
The journey Prince Erediauwa to the throne of Edaiken N’ Uselu began with a seven days initiation into the Royal House of Iwebo which is one of the many Benin Palace societies headed by the Uwangue.
Initiation into the Royal House of Iwebo was observed within the confines of Iwebo chambers inside the Oba’s Palace under the supervision of Chief Eribo in the absence of an Uwangue.
After the initiation into Royal House of Iwebo, the Crown Prince was conferred with the Uko N’ Iwebo.
He was conferred with the title after performing some rituals at the Ugha-Erha-Oba after which he visited some shrines within Benin City metropolis. Among the shrines visited included the Aro-Edion-Edo, Ekpenede, grave of Iden N’ Okpokhuo, Aruo-Emotan amongst others.
He was escorted by a large crowd including his wife, Princess Iroghama and first daughter, Princess Ikuoyemwen Aimiuwu and guided by members of the Royal House of Iwebo, one of the top societies in the palace.
Members of the Isekhuen group stood guard and prevented people from getting close to the Prince wife and daughter.
Seven days after being conferred with the Uko N’ Iweo title, Prince Erediauwa performed the Iguohun ceremony (propitiation of his destiny). The Iguohun was done in appreciation of divine grace and good fortune of his destiny and served as a final rites to the Iwebo society initiation.
The occasion was marked with a feast, spiritually infused choral renditions by the lsekhuian Royal Palace women group and other traditional musicologists that spiced the ceremonial arena.
The Iguohun ceremony (propitiation of his destiny) created the opportunity for the spiritual renewal and fortification of the personage of the Heir-Apparent to the Benin throne and an occasion to ask for God’s continuous guidance, blessings and protection for the Edaiken, the Royal households and the Benin Kingdom.
The Crown Prince then proceeded to the Uwen and Ora Shrines at the palace of the Oba of Benin Kingdom, Chief Johnson Usen and the palace of Chief Ambrose Osuan, Osuan of the Benin Kingdom. Chief Osuan and Chief Osa were twins that accompanied Oromiyan from Ife.
It was part of the traditional rites that the crown prince has to undergo in the royal house of Uwebo which were a test for spiritual strength and growth of the crown prince.
Ora is a deity that represents weapons and aggression while Uwen is a deity who is concerned with healing, fertility, and obstetrics. The joint Ebo n’Edo altar refers to the joint worship of the gods by a small circle.
Prince Erediauwa also visited the Isienmwenro Guild at Sokponba road. The Isiemwenro are the big ants that sting the Oba’s enemies.
On the day of his formal installation as the Edaiken, Prince Erediauwa accompanied by a large crowd left his Benin City residence to the Oba’s Palace. After some indoor ceremonies, the Leteman held a traditional staff and announced to the people that the Oba has named his son as Edaiken N’ Uselu.
As in the ancient custom, Prince Erediauwa had to trek to Uselu accompanied by Chiefs from the father’s Palace. The Chiefs followed him to the popular five junction which is the traditional boundary between Benin and Uselu community. At the Five Junction, the Benin Chiefs handed him to Chiefs and elders of Uselu who were already singing and dancing.
From the junction, the Crown Prince moved to his temporary palace amidst singing and dancing. The Crown Prince was accompanied by Governor Adams Oshimhole, business mogul, Captain Hosa Okunbor, Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, Godwin Obaseki, Matthew Iduoriyikemwen and other top personalities in the state.
Some Uselu residents, who were at the place, said it was a glorious thing for them to witness the installation of an Edaiken. It is expected that the Crown would fill some Chiefs whose former holders were dead.
Significantly, this event has raised a poser that first came up when the Crown Prince’s father, Oba Erediauwa, suddenly stopped attending public functions – leading to speculations that the coast is now clear for the son to take over.
At the time, the Benin Tradition Council (BTC), in a statement, said: “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Palace parlance, Uhunmwun ve Ekpen vb Ato has come into effect. The explanation is that Omo N’Oba N’ Edo, UKu Akpolokpolo Oba Erediauwa is indisposed.
“Public engagements including courtesy visits, hearing of complaints from individuals, families and communities, and in particular, complaints over inheritance and land disputes, are therefore suspended until further notice. All palace chiefs and functionaries are to note that their routine traditional duties continue as usual.”
But when not long after the statement, the palace initiated Crown Prince into the Royal Palace Chamber of Iwebo tongues went wagging again. The colourful event, which lasted seven days, took place in the Royal Chambers of Iwebo group. It was presided over by Iwebo chiefs.
A statement issued by Donald Odemwingie from the palace said: “Having successfully undergone the seven days intensive events, with its attendant elaborate rites, thousands of enthusiastic Edo and non-Edo people joined the retinue of palace chiefs and functionaries to accompany the celebrant, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa from Benin Royal Palace Courtyard of Edaiken in the cynosure of all eyes.”
As usual, there was no official explanation as to the implication of the initiation rites, but it raised a poser: why the initiation rites if the monarch is still alive? A similar poser came up with the Crown Prince’s installation as the Edaiken N’ Uselu.
The way things are, only time will answer the poser in the mind of many.
