Ugho Song: A Eulogy for Emotan

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Song

The Ugho song eulogizes Emotan (fifteenth century) as a prominent woman who helped the Ọba of Benin in the transformation and development of Benin Kingdom. This song calls on anyone with a sense of appreciation for the aesthetic beauty of the Emotan eronmwon statue which replaced the Uloko tree that once adorned the site opposite the Ọba Market. It is followed by a song of praise that describes the Ọba as a great commander of awe, respect and fear. This song eulogizes the Ọba’s movement as ‘ehen n’khue vbe ohinmwin’okun’ (the way a fish swims in the sea). The symbol of the fish and its radiating beautiful sparkling skin is seen as a characteristic of Olokun, the Benin deity or goddess of wealth and good fortune.

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