E te a gha ye mwa re

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Song

This is a song in praise of the Benin people promising that they will always be remembered. It equates them to the great hunter that killed a bush pig without a machete (‘ohue n’ọgbe azana, n’ọma rrie ọpia’). The expression ‘Ẹdo n’Uzọmọ’ refers to the hospitality of the people. Also, the sense of seniority and pride of the city dwellers is reiterated by saying, ‘agha se ọghẹ Ẹdo, Ẹdo re ọdiọn, Ẹdo gha se ọghọmwa Ẹdo n’re ye ọdiọn’ (In the traditional context the Benin chief, noble or freeborn was always treated with reverence both at home and abroad). The song goes on to say that no matter where a Benin person of rank finds himself in the world, they will always be given the kola-nut bowl to break the kola nut as a mark of respect for the cultural heritage of Benin Kingdom.

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Referenced in this interview

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