The funeral ceremony of the late King of Ososo land, Oba Anselm Adeloro Obaitan, the Ichama II of Ososo land entered its second day today (Friday) with some of the most important activities of the 9-day funeral rites

An Adodo (an effigy) of the late king is put on display for 9 days throughout the funeral. Ososo people believe the king is still in there, until the last day of the ceremony when the effigy will be dismantled with two he-goats, only then will the late king leave the earth for the afterlife. Note that this effigy was constructed with the actual attire of the late king.

One of the many masquerades who will be making appearances throughout the funeral.

IMG 9791 scaled 1 — From left is Prince Dele Obaitan, the Hon Commissioner for Tourism, Edo State, the Queen of Ososo, and a member of the royal family.

IMG 9821 scaled 1 — A high-powered delegation of the Akoko-Edo Forum, a pressure group based in the local government area, is represented by some of its members.

IMG 9823 scaled 1 — The arrival of Hon. Akpatason Peter Ohiozojie, House of Representatives for Edo north.

The day broke to the loud gongs and dancing of the Usomomokuros who had woken up as early as 4 am, dancing till the night gave way to morning. After them, the Ipodo women group took the baton as they began to dance, in large procession of jubilant Ososo people, through the long stretch of road from Iyiola to the Okhe quarters where the palace is located. There were as many as twenty dance groups and processions in the town. For the vast majority of the indigenes, it was a celebration of a life well lived.

As the activities came to a crescendo at about 11 am, the elders had all gathered in colorful attires at the palace ground, including the chiefs in council. After so much dancing, a selected group of elders took the short journey from the palace to a nearby hill where they performed the ritual of “throwing of gifts” to a large and ecstatic crowd below, as the people scampered for the items that included plastic plates, cups, handkerchiefs, matchboxes, and other household items.

IMG 20230414 WA0007 — A cross section of dignitaries at the event.

IMG 9888 scaled 1 — Prince Dele and Princess Rebecca at the event.

The Ijoh – a long processional and ecstatic dance which was supposed to be the major crux of today’s event was postponed till tomorrow the 29th because the activities that marked today had stretched beyond expectation, and likely to interrupt the scheduled reception for visiting dignitaries and non natives who had come from all around the country and the diaspora

As at the time of filing this report, the venue of the reception was brimming with beautifully attired guests and their hosts.