Burial of Women
Edo Burial rites of women are as old as the Benin Kingdom itself. Established from the beginning of their history they continue to evolve through time, for example, by incorporating modern technology like social media.
When an Edo married woman dies, her body must be returned to her birth house and her relatives. Marriage does not change her nationality, citizenship or clanship. She must return to wherein she was birthed. And there she is buried. If her children are unwilling to return her, they must pay a levy to have her buried elsewhere and must still complete the burial rites in her paternal and birthplace and home under the guidance of the community elders.
In the Facebook link below are video records of the rites and how they are performed during the burial period of 4 days. The Notes section contain background historical information of the rites for each day. There are photographs too. Taken together they illumine aspects of cultures and traditions of a fascinating Kingdom well worth studying by everyone particularly of African origin.
One needs to know how things have always been, one needs to know what our story is and most important of all one needs to be proud to tell and present it to the rest of the world.
The Kingdom of Benin retains its original culture and traditions. What the Benin culture does best is take new ideas from the very best across the world and incorporate these to strengthen existing practices. We saw this in the 15© with arrival of the Portuguese missionaries. Oba Esigie adopted some of their traditions. He set up the first Christian church and the first cathedral in Africa. He also adopted the missionaries' attire which Benin chiefs use up to the present day.
Burial rites for women is no different. The old is mixed with new and the result is a most fascinating and enjoyable burial and funeral rites of traditional and Christian beliefs. A celebration of a life.
Click on the link below to access this fascinating history of mankind.
HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MADAM-EIHOMON-GRACE-AIGBOGUN-100572011790674/
Watch this short video of part of the ceremony--->
When an Edo married woman dies, her body must be returned to her birth house and her relatives. Marriage does not change her nationality, citizenship or clanship. She must return to wherein she was birthed. And there she is buried. If her children are unwilling to return her, they must pay a levy to have her buried elsewhere and must still complete the burial rites in her paternal and birthplace and home under the guidance of the community elders.
In the Facebook link below are video records of the rites and how they are performed during the burial period of 4 days. The Notes section contain background historical information of the rites for each day. There are photographs too. Taken together they illumine aspects of cultures and traditions of a fascinating Kingdom well worth studying by everyone particularly of African origin.
One needs to know how things have always been, one needs to know what our story is and most important of all one needs to be proud to tell and present it to the rest of the world.
The Kingdom of Benin retains its original culture and traditions. What the Benin culture does best is take new ideas from the very best across the world and incorporate these to strengthen existing practices. We saw this in the 15© with arrival of the Portuguese missionaries. Oba Esigie adopted some of their traditions. He set up the first Christian church and the first cathedral in Africa. He also adopted the missionaries' attire which Benin chiefs use up to the present day.
Burial rites for women is no different. The old is mixed with new and the result is a most fascinating and enjoyable burial and funeral rites of traditional and Christian beliefs. A celebration of a life.
Click on the link below to access this fascinating history of mankind.
HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MADAM-EIHOMON-GRACE-AIGBOGUN-100572011790674/
Watch this short video of part of the ceremony--->
Oba Ewuare 11
Oba of Benin
Oba Ghato
Okpere!
Ise!
Oba of Benin
Oba Ghato
Okpere!
Ise!
