Oba-of-Benin, Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II
The Time Table For Ugie Ivie Festival Of Beads Of Benin Kingdown
“This is to inform Chiefs, Enigie, lgie-Ohen, Edionwere, market women, youths and the general public that His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin will celebrate “Ugie Ivie” in the Oba Palace beginning from Tuesday, 14. May, 2019 to Tuesday, 11. June, 2019. During the period of “Ugie-Ivie”, the wearing of beads is prohibited in Benin Kingdom, until after the ceremony. This announcement therefore serves as notice to all concerned to ensure compliance, please.”

This examines the Oba of Benin Royal Ugie ivie festival, which is an annual religious and cultural event celebrated by the Benin speaking people of Edo State, Nigeria. As a communal and spiritual activity, the Oba and people of Benin kingdom mark the Ugie festivals with Musical and dance performances. Within this context, the study adopts the historical and participant approaches as its method of contending that some events during the Oba of Benin Royal Ugie festival ceremonies are colorful theatrical performances. The organizational structure of the Oba of Benin Palace as it relates to the observance of Ugie festival ceremonies is also discussed in this research. This study also examines the role Ewini music plays in the various Oba of Benin Royal Ugie festival ceremonies, thereby looking at its origin, socio-cultural context, formation procedure, instrumentation, and organizational set-up. This work takes an overall look at Ugie (festivals) ceremonies in the Royal Court of Benin, and shows in chronological order the various constituents of the Ugie ceremonies.