However, one difficult aspect of the monarchy is once the Obobanyi is crowned, he is not allowed to see his mother again
The people of Ohueta came out in large numbers as they enthroned their traditional ruler with pomp.
From Itodo Daniel Sule, Lokoja
In Africa, the cultures are as diverse as the people. The way people eat, build houses, dress, marry and relate are wide-ranging. Also, how traditional heads are selected and installed are very intriguing. In some communities, when a traditional head passes on, a successor is immediately named and installed. In others, long succession rites are followed. In the case of the people of Ohueta of Ihima in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State, it was learnt that once a reigning monarch, called Obobanyi dies, tradition demands that the clan would wait until after a year before a new Obobanyi is installed.
It was however pointed out that such rule was flexible and could sometimes be altered based on some given circumstances.
Within the Ohueta clan, the Obobanyi stool is usually rotated amongst the four subclans. The subclans are Ezi Obe, Ezi Ogun, Ezi Adesi and Ezi Adobe. For ease of administration and recognition, each of the subclans is sub divided into Ohueje.
After scaling through selection hurdles, the Obobanyi-designate would be distinguished by wearing “Nyanka,” a neck ring cut out of a palm frond. Infact, the would-be monarch wears the Nyanka for three months.
However, for 13 days before the royal ceremony, a stone stool turned upside down will be turned over. The ritual is to show that the clan was ready to enthrone a new monarch.
All the coronation insignia of the clan would thereafter be moved to the house of the Obobanyi designate prior to the installation.
However, one difficult aspect of the monarchy is once the Obobanyi is crowned, he is not allowed to see his mother again.
Infact, Obobanyi-designate will take kola nuts to his mother’s kinsmen for prayers and, seven days to the installation, returns with ram for more benedictions.
These rites were what Chief Omonori Suberu went through before his installation Obobanyi Ohueta. For this, mammoth crowds throng Ohueta and relish in the rich culture of the people.
Among the cultural display was the Anayire masquerade at the head of the installation process. Before installation, the Obobanyidesignate would be “missing” from the public glare and it is for the masquerade to find him out.
For the community, Anayire is believed to have the knowledge of life and death. Once the masquerade found the house where the Obobanyi was, he is not expected to go in straight ahead to fetch him out. The Anayire moves around that particular house seven times before going inside to bring him out.
As the crowd waits, the Obobanyi comes out dressed in an all-white flowing gown, accompanied by four masquerades: Ekuoba, Anayire, Ekububa and Akatapa.
Usually, the installation was done at the front of the house of the would-be Obobanyi’s abode at Ichamete in Ikuehi. He stands at the centre of the venue while the installation ritual commences. The would-be Obobanyi goes round the stool seven times guided by a feminine masquerade called Akatapa. In each circle, the feminine masquerade will touch the edge of the stool.
The Obobanyi-designate steps his left foot on the stool like his guide. Upon completion of the circling, he ascends the stool of his forefathers as the substantive Obobanyi Ohueta Ihima.
Once he ascends the throne, a carnival procession of monarchs from all over Ebiraland, pays him homage.
Similarly, other subjects, guests and well-wishers take turn to pay homage.
The climax of the rites is the crowning and presentation of the crown, called Aja and Buffalo tail called Omu to the new Obobanyi. Usually, the Aja is decorated with rings of shiny cowries with feathers hoisted in it connoting dignity, authority, distinction and success.
It was gathered that the traditional title of Obobanyi which means hunter, is bestowed on only those that have achieved great hunting feats by killing a buffalo and the likes.
According to the clan historians, none of the successive Obobanyis has ever ascended the revered throne except those adjudged to be great hunters.
The chairman, Ihima King Makers Council, Chief lsaac Jegede, at the installation expressed happiness over the emergence of Chief Omonori as the new Obobanyi of Ohueta.
According to him, the community went through a difficult time before they got what rightly belongs to them.
The chairman, Ohueta Clan Obobanyi Candidate Selection Committee, Chief Amos Suberu, explained why the clan ended up with Omonori Suberu as choice.
He said three people contested for the royal position, but Chief Suberu performed very well.
“He was outstanding. The committee found him to be very resourceful, honest and patriotic. He is also a man of the people,” he said.
Besides, he said the Obobanyi is not a stranger to the republican nature of Ihima chieftaincy system and met the selection conditions.
“We wanted somebody who has integrity and responsible, he has all these attributes,” the selection committee chairman explained.