Date: Sat Dec 23, 2000 9:05 pm
Subject: Edo Culture and Tradition 12-ISELOGBE
The rituals for celebrating Igue, varies from place to place within the
Edo-speaking world. The economic status of the individual ALSO play a role
into what is used or how it is done
Basically, the following are a must no matter your status:
a) Kolanuts: This is easy to get even in USA.
b) Coconut- all split, washed up and salted-arranged in a bowl-easy to get
in USA. The juice is saved in a cup.
c) A live animal-a chicken (rooster), a goat or a cow. ( Where a live
animal is not available, use an already prepared one from the grocery
store). Blood is the essential requirement in this ritual and because it
will be difficult to get a live animal in the USA, just invoke the presence
of blood when you say your prayers. For example, you can say the following:
"Almighty God of creation, the God of our fathers and mothers, we have
before you the following (name them one by one). These cooked animals once
had blood. It has been shed when they were being prepared for food. Then
thank God for keeping your head on top of your neck in the midst of all the
travails of life. Beg HIM for good luck for the New Year. AND POUR YOUR
HEART OUT TO THE ALMIGHTY MERCIFUL GOD called various names-Jehovah, Yahweh,
Jesus Christ, OSANOBUWA, OGHODUA, OGHENE( by the Edos) Olodumare, Chineke,
Allah etc.
d) Some smoked-dried-fish.
e) Palm Wine, or just plain wine, spirits-gin, whiskey, rum or just SODA
f) A piece of WHITE CHALK
HOW TO DO IT STEP BY STEP:
1) For the free Edo man or citizen, the chief priest for this ritual is the
head of the family or the oldest in the group, if it is a group ritual. The
royal family has priests performing this ritual. They are headed by the
CHIEF ISEKHURE OF BENIN. He touches his forehead and that of other members
of his family or friends, who have gathered to observe the ceremony with
him, invoking the name of the Almighty God.
2) He prays with all the items present-kolanuts, coconuts etc putting a
small piece of each item on the floor marked by a white circular mark. This
white circular mark symbolizes the presence of the CREATOR GOD in the
midst of those gathered-that the Almighty God is as clean and transparent as
a white chalk.
3) He touches his forehead, his chest , shoulders and that of others present
with white chalk and blood ( If available by slaughtering a live animal
there and then). It is the presence of live animals and blood that have led some
IGNORANT and CONFUSED Christians into believing that Satan is being
worshipped. It is important to note that the PRESENCE OF BLOOD is CENTRAL
to all known religious faith in the world. In Christianity, salvation is
anchored on the shedding of the BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST AT CALVARY. The sound
of IGUE AWENYEN is heard from every throat as the prayers are said. It
becomes a song:
"Awenyen Awenyen
awenyen
Igue awenye O
Igue Awenye O
Igue Awenye O
Igue Aweyen O
Awenyen Awenyen
Awenyen.
4) Kolanuts and coconuts are now passed round. Individuals are allowed to
say personal prayers if they wish to, at this point as they give their tiny
pieces of the kolanuts and coconuts back to the performing priest, when
their prayers are done. These little pieces are put on the floor, in the
white circular mark.. .a piece of meat, fish or a sprinkled wine is also put
there. THAT IS FOOD FOR THE ALMIGHTY GOD. Since we do not know the abode of
the Almighty, everlasting and all knowing God, we just put the food on
the floor. Some tiny pieces are taken out and thrown outside to the keep
evil spirits away from the house . The Almighty God has to eat first and
the rampaging evil spirits have to be kept at bay. Individuals can now eat
their pieces of kolanuts and coconuts, drink wine, eat snacks or what ever
is put out there.
5) Story telling and songs now take over form here. Family tales are told
and retold. Laughter reverberates everywhere. Exploits, conquests, defeats
and good news are reported. THE NEW YEAR HAS COME!!!
ISELOGBE, EDO!!!!
Ademola Iyi-Eweka
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