Igue Festival

Igue Festival is by far the most renown traditional festival in the ancient Benin Kingdom. It is celebrated annually around the end of the year - between Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Origin

It was first celebrated by Oba Ewuare as a festival to renew his magical powers. Some accounts say the ceremony also coincided with his marriage to his wife, Ewere. The festival is celebrated by the reigning Oba and all Benin citizens to mark the end of the year of the Bini year and to usher in a new one with renewed hope for peace and prosperity.

The Igue festival was originally celebrated during the month of September until Oba Akenzua II made adjustments to the ceremony and moved it to December.

The festival is celebrated today as a combination of nine principal ceremonies namely: Otue- Ugierhoba, Ugierhoba, Iron, Orue-Iguoba, Igue-Inene, Emobo, Iguivbioba, Iguedohia and Ugiewere. it is the only occasion during which the Oba wears his full traditional regalia and dances with the royal scimitar (Eben) in the presence of his people who always look up to the ceremonies with great joy and excitement. It is also during these celebrations that the Oba comes out with some of his wives (Iloi), and it is the only time that his wives are seen by the public.

A lot of Benin Citizens travel home this time of the year to witness and celebrate the festival with their families. Many more return to be with their families for the holiday season.

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