Art exhibition, food festival highlight Oba of Benin’s 10th Coronation Anniversary

Arts & Entertainment, Events-Festivals

BENIN CITY, Nigeria (Agency Report) — An art exhibition and food festival have featured among activities marking the 10th coronation anniversary of the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, showcasing the cultural, artistic and culinary heritage of the Benin Kingdom.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the anniversary celebration began on Sunday, October 4, and is scheduled to run until Saturday, November 21, with several activities planned to commemorate the monarch’s 10 years on the throne.

Speaking on Friday at the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre, the former Edo Deputy Governor and Chairman of the 10th Coronation Anniversary Committee, Lucky Imasuen, described the milestone as an opportunity to celebrate the kingdom’s progress.

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Imasuen said the monarch’s decade on the throne had been marked by peace, economic growth and security. He also commended the organisers of skill acquisition centres and the Iyamu Agwabasimi Movement Worldwide for supporting the monarch and helping residents acquire practical skills.

According to him, beneficiaries had received training in hairdressing, braiding, weaving, tailoring, mechanics and phone repairs.

“The support for the monarch is not just historic but practical, as people have acquired skills in different trades,” Imasuen said.

He identified the food festival as another major attraction, with visitors sampling traditional Edo delicacies, including Akedi, black soup and akara.

Imasuen said additional activities planned for the anniversary included musical performances, football matches, traditional wrestling and the official opening of the festival hall. He urged participants to maintain peace and use the celebration to showcase the kingdom’s culture and traditions.

Food Festival Showcases Traditional Edo Cuisine

Joy Osaremen, Chief Executive Officer of Seventies Grill Kitchen and one of the food exhibitors, said the festival was organised to celebrate the monarch’s anniversary and promote authentic Edo cuisine.

She said the dishes on display were prepared using traditional recipes, giving visitors an opportunity to experience the kingdom’s culinary heritage.

Osaremen showcased traditional soups, including Umanko, Cutting Soup, Umone and Oyuwo, also known as bitterleaf soup, which she said were traditionally eaten with pounded yam.

She stressed the importance of preserving indigenous cooking methods and encouraging younger generations to appreciate traditional meals.

“The soups we have here are traditionally eaten with pounded yam. Returning to these meals will help us appreciate what we have as a people and preserve our culinary heritage,” she said.

Art Exhibition Celebrates Benin Creativity

The curators of the art exhibition, Omorogbe Osakpolor and Babatunde Adeyanju, said the collection was assembled to commemorate the monarch’s 10th coronation anniversary.

They explained that the exhibition featured works by artists and craftsmen from the Benin Kingdom, including photography, sculpture and painting.

Osakpolor said the exhibition was open to the public, with the Oba expected to formally inaugurate it.

“We curated these works to celebrate the King’s 10th coronation anniversary. This section is dedicated to artworks produced by artists and craftsmen from the Benin Kingdom, including photographers, sculptors and painters,” he said.

The exhibition and food festival also provided opportunities for local artists, craftsmen and food entrepreneurs to display their products and celebrate the cultural identity of the Benin Kingdom.

Other crafts and services showcased at the event included tailoring, welding, shoemaking, makeup and beauty services, hairdressing and confectionery production.

(NAN)