The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II on Saturday held the ancient Ekasa dance in honour of his late mother, Iyoba Omo N’ikuoyemwen, who died 49 years ago.

Ekasa, a spiritually embedded dance procession, is performed to mark the end of the first part of her funeral rites.

The dance is also performed during the Oba’s coronation ceremonies.

A procession of the Ekasa dancers will dance across various Queen mothers’ traditional worship sites, including Iyoba Ikuoyemwen’s statue at five junctions in Benin City.

The Oyairioba of Benin, Robert Ohuoba, said that the performance would continue daily and would be rounded off on Thursday, March 27.

Mr Ohuoba said the Ekasa performance was usually held at the Queen mother’s palace in Uselu.

“It’s preceded by Ikpowia, the last wake of the funeral ceremonies , while Isuerhanfua marked the last ceremony in the funeral programme for the Oba’s mother,” he said.
(NAN)