Wasigbeenile,

OKPE people, both at home and in the Diaspora, recently converged on Okpe Kingdom to celebrate this year’s New Yam Festival, locally referred to as Wasigbeenile, ‘Thank You For Taking Care Of Me.

Located in Akoko-edo local council, the ancient kingdom whose people according to history migrated from Ile-ife, present day Osun State, about two thousand years ago, is one of the food baskets of Edo State.

Although located in a rocky terrain, the kingdom is blessed with vast expanse of farmland with majority being farmers and hunters, while the women are known for weaving and trading.

Palacewatch was privileged to observe the festival rites presided over by His Royal Highness, Oba Eshimokhai Okishimede Idogu III (JP) OON, Gbugbulu, the Olokpe of Okpe Kingdom.

It began with a13-day notice to the entire town on July 7, after the Olokpe and his Chiefs had deliberated on the modalities for the feast. The notice elapsed at 5a.m, on Friday, July 20, with barrage of gunshots echoing from the palace. This signified greetings from the Olokpe of Okpe ‘Wasigbeenile’ to his people, meaning, ‘thank you all for taking good care of me in this outgoing year.” After this, Wasigbeenile became the general greetings throughout that the day. As early as 6.30a.m on this, in accordance with Okpe tradition, natives and non-indigenes resident in the town trooped to Olokpe’s palace to pay homage and also to wish him and his family well.

After this ceremony, another notice, this time, seven days, beginning from that day, was given, as to when the climax of the ceremony proper would be. Right from the first day of the seven-day notice, farmers, hunters and traders resident in Okpe town began to pay homage to the Olokpe in his palace with their farm produce, including assorted bush meat, goats, yam tubers; among others, as a mark of respect for his throne.

On the D-day, Thursday, July 26, 2018, as early as 6.30 a.m, all roads leading into Okpe town were blocked to enable the people carry out parts of the rites. While the indigenes were in high spirit, strangers and