Over the weekend, my friend and a prince in the Edo kingdom called me to find out if I had seen the picture of popular Nigerian singer, Yemi Alade, dressed as the Oba of Benin.

I had not, I responded but why was it so important? Because Benin people are very angry, he retorted.

I have since seen the picture and read some of the comments of Nigerians, mostly from Benin, who say she has committed a sacrilegious act. Their main point is that the Oba’s regalia is only worn by a man, and Yemi Alade did not have the right as a woman to put it on. Furthermore, she should have taken permission before wearing it.

To begin with, the Edo Kingdom at a point in its history had a female king. Her name was Edeleyo. Unfortunately, she died before her reign could begin from an incurable female disease, prompting the chiefs at the time to prohibit the occupation of the throne by any female.

What this loosely translates into is that the kingly attire is not necessarily a taboo for women and has actually been worn by one. Should the rules revert to what it was before, women would be allowed to wear kingly robes without any hassles.

However, Yemi Alade probably should have considered taking permission from the king. She was not wearing just any Edo costume but the king’s clothes, and it would definitely have been very respectful if she had notified him first before going ahead.

If this is the case, however, what do we say about actors who, every other day, wear the robes of kings and clerics in their movies and not always necessarily in a good way? Just last year, Beverly Osu wore the habit of a nun slit from the hip down, and I am 100% certain that she did obtain any permission from any religious congregation before doing so.

Should we then ask these people to always obtain authorization first? Is our culture so sacred that others cannot depict it however way they want without first seeking our consent?

In the end, there seems to be no right or wrong answer on this. However, if Yemi Alade has been asked to apologize to the king, she may want to explore that option. For the sake of the culture.
https://qwenu.com/2019/01/22/yemi-alade-and-the-obas-clothes-how-sacred-should-our-culture-be/

Ok

She wants to incur the wrath of Edo village people

We will get her

her blood is ours

To begin with, the Edo Kingdom at a point in its history had a female king. Her name was Edeleyo. Unfortunately, she died before her reign could begin from an incurable female disease, prompting the chiefs at the time to prohibit the occupation of the throne by any female.


consider ur statement above. how can a person be a jking when one`s reign has not begun?

All this attack over nothing really

The writer of this article gave an unbiased view however for those persons condemning Yemi, have they for once asked if male actors take permission from their traditional rulers before putting on his regalia? We have to be realistic and not be sentimental or stereotype

asuustrike1:
The writer of this article gave an unbiased view however for those persons condemning Yemi, have they for once asked if male actors take permission from their traditional rulers before putting on his regalia? We have to be realistic and not be sentimental or stereotype

A lot of plays and drama have been acted with the person playing the OBA OF BENIN wearing the Oba's Attire. That's no problem. But the person must be a man as a woman cannot wear that attire. It is a taboo. Something that can be interpreted as an intentional insult on the Crown and tradition of Benin People. Traditionalists don't take such a thing likely. She should apologise ASAP before something inexplicable happens to her. A word is enough for the wise. You don't rubbish the tradition and culture of a people and expect them to keep quiet.

playerinc:


A lot of plays and drama have been acted with the person playing the OBA OF BENIN wearing the Oba's Attire. That's no problem. But the person must be a man as a woman cannot wear that attire. It is a taboo. Something that can be interpreted as an intentional insult on the Crown and tradition of Benin People. Traditionalists don't take such a thing likely. She should apologise ASAP before something inexplicable happens to her. A word is enough for the wise. You don't rubbish the tradition and culture of a people and expect them to keep quiet.

A taboo is simply a conjecture of one's mind on a certain cultural aspect that is deemed unacceptable to people who practice that culture in particular. In other words Its neither truth nor is fact but mere sentiment.

I understand being rebellious and not adhereing to certain cultural norms but saying anyting inexplicable should happen to this lady I is intolerable. What force of nature gave anyone the right?

Those complaining should get lost. She dressed as different kings to promote the different cultures in Nigeria. Jeeeeeeeez!
People are acting like the Benin King doesn't sh*t at all. It's just a COSTUME!!!! COSTUME!!!!!
Nothing, but a COSTUME!
Traditions change, this is how we evolve as human beings!