Processes of Acquisition of Chieftaincy Titles in Benin Kingdom

Mr. Donald Odemwingie is an experienced photographer, who worked with the royal court until his retirement. In this video, he speaks about the process or stages an individual goes through to confirm his title and how the title is conferred. He starts by stating that for an individual to become ennobled in the kingdom, he must own a house, he should not have a father and should be married. Furthermore, he states that the individual who applies for the title says that he wishes to be honoured to be in the service of the monarch because all titles are functionary as there are no honorary titles in the royal court of the Benin kingdom. He then describes the different ceremonies the chiefs perform until they celebrate the Iyaenehien ceremony, the final and highest ceremony. Also, he mentions reasons why only a few chiefs can afford to perform this final ceremony, amongst which is its cost implication. Hence, it is also a measure of the social status and wealth of the individual.