Men in Benin, the Edo State capital, have started shaving their heads in honour of the late Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa.
The monarch’s demise was announced on Friday, which was followed with the breaking of a native chalk by the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe.
As the ancient tradition demands, part of the mourning rites to be performed by males in Benin include the shaving of heads and the closure of markets in the seven local government areas that make up the Benin Kingdom.
According to Punch, a barber on Owina Street, who gave his name as Akhere, revealed that he recorded a 50 per cent increase in the number of customers at his shop.
He noted also that he had less difficulty attending to them, since it was a total shave, rather than the usual choice of hairstyle by his customers.
Akhere said, “Not many people came to have their heads shaved on Friday, when the palace made the announcement. But Saturday was different because a lot people came to do so; many of them were elderly men.”
A resident, John Ehanire, sees the act as a ‘privilege’ for all Benin sons.
“I shaved my head to show respect for my late king. It is a rare privilege for us because it happens once in a long time.”
Also, major markets were closed down and many traders were seen selling their wares on walkways at the Oba and New Benin markets
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