Funeral Rites For The Departed Ososo Monarch Enters Day Two by Albert Afeso Akanbi
Ososo community in AKoko-Edo LGA of Edo State is set for the final burial ceremony of her king.
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
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.
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.
Welcome to all ososo indeqirns on this great occasion of celebration