An art exhibition and a food festival showcasing the cultural and culinary heritage of the Benin Kingdom were among the events marking 10 years since the coronation of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the celebrations opened on Sunday, October 4, and will run until Saturday, November 21, with a series of programs lined up to mark the monarch’s decade on the throne.
Speaking at the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre on Friday, Lucky Imasuen, a former Edo deputy governor who chairs the anniversary committee, called the occasion a significant milestone.
He said the Oba’s 10 years on the throne had brought peace, economic growth and security, and that the anniversary was a chance to reflect on the kingdom’s progress. “This is just the beginning of the fun, with many activities lined up,” Imasuen said.
He praised the organizers of skill acquisition centres and the Iyamu Agwabasimi Movement Worldwide for backing the monarch and helping residents learn practical trades. Beneficiaries, he said, had been trained in hairdressing, braiding, weaving, tailoring, mechanics and phone repair.
The food festival, he added, was another highlight, with visitors served traditional Edo dishes such as Akedi, Black Soup and Akara.
Still to come are musical performances, football matches, traditional wrestling and the formal opening of the festival hall.
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Imasuen urged attendees to keep the celebrations peaceful and use the occasion to show off the kingdom’s culture and traditions.
Joy Osaremen, chief executive of Seventies Grill Kitchen and one of the food exhibitors, said the festival was organised to honour the Oba and present authentic Edo food made from traditional recipes.
Her display included traditional soups such as Umanko, Cutting Soup, and Umone and Oyuwo, also called Bitterleaf Soup, which are usually eaten with pounded yam.
Osaremen stressed the need to preserve indigenous cooking methods and encourage people to value traditional meals. “Returning to these meals will help us appreciate what we have as a people and preserve our culinary heritage,” she said.
At the art exhibition, curators Omorogbe Osakpolor and Babatunde Adeyanju said the collection was assembled to mark the Oba’s 10-year milestone. It features photography, sculpture and painting by artists and craftsmen from the Benin Kingdom.
The exhibition is open to the public, and the Oba is expected to open it formally. Osakpolor said other activities, including the food exhibition and craftwork displays, are taking place outside the exhibition space.
The event gave local artists, craftsmen and food entrepreneurs a platform to display their work and celebrate the cultural identity of the Benin Kingdom.
Other crafts on show include tailoring, welding, shoemaking, makeup and beauty services, hairdressing and confectionery.
NAN
