Why Traditional Burial In Benin Law Still Carries Greatest Weight – Prince Osas Eweka

Why Traditional Burial In Benin Law Still Carries Greatest Weight, “Church burial is recognized, but 14-day rites give peace, respect and full rites” – Prince Osas Eweka

In Benin Kingdom, burial is not just about laying a body to rest. It is law, culture, and spirituality rolled into one. And according to tradition, traditional burial rites still carry the greatest weight under Benin native law and custom.

Speaking to our Correspondent in Benin City, Prince Osas Edesigie Eweka, a title Prince of the Benin Royal Family and grandson of Oba Eweka II, explained why the 14-day traditional burial remains sacred to the Edo people.

“I am a title Prince because I studied traditions very well, particularly within the Benin Royal Family where I am from,” Prince Eweka said. “I under-studied elders within the family who performed traditional burial. I did traditional burial for my biological father for fourteen days.”

According to the Prince, Benin Royal Family burial procedures last for fourteen days and involve strict rites that are not observed in church burials.

“Church burial is recognized, but traditional burial carries weight, especially when the children can do traditional burial for their father or mother,”he said.
“I am not against church burial. But as a traditionalist, there are things you must do the Benin way.”
He noted that after the full 14 days of rites are completed, the children are “relieved and respected among others.” The process, though costly, is seen as a final duty and honor to the deceased.

Prince Eweka revealed that certain privileges are reserved only for those who complete traditional burial.

“There are traditional values and great participation during burial ceremony where those who did not perform traditional burial cannot participate, such as the tying of ‘Agbala’. It is strictly for those who did traditional burial.”

He stressed that traditional burial is optional and “nobody compels anybody for it.“Many people buried their loved ones in the Christian way, while others opted for traditional burial where they are privileged to know more about the ceremony.”

On royal burials, Prince Eweka said members are buried in royal clothes directly from the palace if the children choose traditional rites. If they choose church burial, the palace rites may not be fully observed.

“For royalty, they are buried if the children want traditional, with royal clothes directly from the palace. For traditional burial, all rites are strictly observed and it may be termed very stressful,” he said.

The Prince urged bereaved families to perform burial rites according to what they have, but warned against mixing the two systems.

“Traditional burial rites are strictly for tradition, and not 3 days in church burial rites,” he said. “Do what your heart and your pocket can carry, but know that in Benin native law, tradition carries weight.”Cultural analysts say the 14-day rites remain the bedrock of Benin ancestral worship, inheritance rights, and social recognition in the Kingdom.