When Benin Funeral Rites Came To Fore At Madam Osawaru’s Burial

Just a week or so before the celebration of the popular Igue festival in Benin, Edo State an opportunity to see another dimension to the rich culture of the Benin people with respect to burials arose after one of the foremost women of the kingdom, Madam Aghafekokhian Osawaru, passed away recently.

Not surprisingly, the interment of Madam Aghafekokhian Osawaru who died at the age of 99 on December 11, 2021 took place a week before the Igue festival which commenced a week later.

 GreenWhiteGreen GWG reports that the rich Benin Igue festival which has been likened to the Jewish Passover and the American Thanksgiving Holiday has been celebrated almost unfailingly since Oba Ewuare N’Ogidigan I, who reigned from 1440 to 1473.

During the period burials are not allowed as the people look forward to thank their ancestors and recollect the goodness of Osonobua as God Almighty is called among the Benin people.

The example of the glitz and culture in Benin funeral came to the fore at the burial of 99-year old Aghafekokhian Osawaru in a series of rites in the week from Sunday, December 12 to Friday, December 17, 2021.

Madam Osawaru, a fourth generation descendant of Iyase n’Ohenmwen, reckoned as the wealthiest man ever in Benin, and a Prime Minister in Ancient Benin, is also the mother of Dr. Okunzuwa Osawaru, a Benin-based medical practitioner, multiple channel public affairs analyst, and latter-day political godson of Gen. Samuel Ogbemudia.

The Rites For Madam Osawaru

On Day 1

The elder son, Dr. Osawaru, formally reported the death of his mother to her kindred in Ugbague ( Mission Road and Environ) in Benin City.

Day 2

The Iyase n’Ohenmwen sent a delegation to the residence of the deceased, and performed initial rites.

Day3

Performance of rites in Ugbague

Day 4

Iwarinmwin rites

Day 5

Izakhue Rites

Day6

Isoton Rites

Day 7

Isuerhanfua Rites

However, owing to adjustment to the demands of modernity, the observance of some the rites was modified. For example, there was no city-wide procession during  Izakhue and Isoton.

Madam Osawaru who was a product of the families of Osawaru Ohenmwen of Ihogbe and Idehen Osunde of Ugbague, both in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State was survived by three children, Dr. Osawaru, Mrs. Osayemwenre Adekoya, and Mr. Osarenren Osawaru.

She was also survived by 10 grand-children, one great grandchild, and a sister, Madam Esther Idehen.

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