Installation Of Ọdiọnwere Pa Enabulele at Iguehana Village

As the Ọdiọnwere designate (elect), he came to the elders court on the day of his installation with his family and friends. Before the installation ceremony began proper, he is invited to make a propitiation of the ancestors with some kola nuts, in a wooden kola nut vase, and a bottle of gin. With the wooden vase filled with kola nuts in his hands, first of all he prayed for himself, then he prayed for all the sons and daughters of the village, he prayed for the elders and he prayed for the Ọba of Benin kingdom. Then libation is poured on the Ukhure (ancestral staff) on the altar.

This was the process of the installation proper. As is customary, the third person among the Owere class of elders (that is the four most senior elders) is to officiate that installation of the new Ọdiọnwere, Pa Enabulele. The installation is such that the officiating elder holds Pa Enabulele’s hands, he calls Pa Enabulele by name seven times and on the seventh call Pa Enabulele would respond and then sit on the space reserved for the Ọdiọnwere amongst the elders council.

Immediately after the installation the new Ọdion embarked on a dance procession with the entire village and his family. Songs of praise and best wishes are sung during this procession, accompanied by clapping and jubilation. Symbolically, two young male members of the village support his arms during this procession as a sign of his new authority and acceptance by the people, which shows they are in support of his reign as Ọdiọnwere.