Uzama n'ihirion is a group of
hereditary chiefs in the Benin Kingdom that was during the reign of Oba Ewedo
in the 13th century. They were six in number originally. But in the 15th
century during the reign of Oba Ewuare n'ogidigan they became seven in number.
The seventh chief that was added to that original six is called Edayiniken
n'uselu which corrupted to Edaiken n' uselu the heir apparent to the throne.
Iken was an ancient warrior and the Duke of Uselu province. He was fabled
to be the great warrior who knew all the skills of battle except how to beat a
retreat. He was successful in all his battle campaign including the very last
one that claimed his life. Oba Ewuare sent him on that expedition. Instead of
coming straight back home after his victory, he tarried still in the land he
had conquered at the persuasion of a young beautiful woman he met at the battle front. News reached Benin that Iken had executed his mission successfully. A
welcome party was being organized for his arrival. But Iken was destined never to return to his Dukedom. There were
whispers in some quarters that the Palace had ensured by some supernatural
means that the great never returned home alive. His prowess was rumoured to be
winning fear and admiration amongst the people of Benin to an extent that some
had started mentioning him in the same breath as Ewuare n' ogidigan the greatest
Oba Benin ever had.
As the wait for Iken became endless,the Oba decided that the heir apparent
should be sent to Uselu to hold brief before Iken comes back from battle. The
word Edayiniken means go and hold brief for Iken. If today Iken shows up, there
will be no question as to who the real occupant of Uselu palace is.
Owi iken no guokwuo, no ma g'ule(2x)
Ogw'kwuo n'omag'ule
En'okwuo y'arie
Ogw'kwuo n'omag'ule
En'okwuo y'arie
The Crown Prince performed the Isoton
rites on June 4th as part of the Burial rite of the Late Monarch.
Edaiken gha to kpere
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