This is a significant ceremony in determining the right to succession in Benin kingdom. This ceremony concludes the rite of passage, which starts from birth into the physical world, through rites of initiation(s) and marriage, to death and transfiguration/transition from the physical back into Erinmwin (the spirit world). The dead are believed to be in the spiritual realm of existence and are physically represented by _Ukhure _(a carved wooden staff) with various motifs of significance. In the interview, the elders describe the importance of the Ukhure in Benin cosmology and identify the material they are made from.
**00:00 – 02:08. **Ukomwen Ceremony. From your left a young member of the Family is standing, seated is my principal informant Pa Obogie Joseph Ekhator, Chief Isokpan – the Ihama of Ugoneki Dukedom, Prince Victor Ogiugo, Pa Asia Edionwere – the head of the family, Pa Ibizugbe A. Albert – the Odionwere (head) of the village and another young member of the family. 00:00 – 01:24 The ceremony began with the head of the family calling on the Prince (heir apparent to the late Enogie) to pray and propitiate the collective ancestors of the family while offering kolanut and drinks (these are shared by everyone present) and the goat (this is used to prepare food for all present). Being his first time, the elders guide the Prince in the order of supplication by praying for the good health of all the family member, friends, the entire Chiefdom, Benin Kingdom and the Oba of Benin Kingdom. 01:25 – 02:08 All the Ukhure laid down during the funeral ceremony of the deceased Enogie are raised and positioned vertically on the altar by the family head. The Prince follows by placing the new _Ukhure _(a symbolic representation of the deceased) among older ones. The elders call on the dead to come and dwell amongst the Ancestors as his physical representation is placed on the altar. 02:09 – 07:05. This interview section was a focused group discussion with Mr. Friday Emwinghare – Chief Priest of the Village, my principal informant Pa Obogie Joseph Ekhator, Chief Isokpan – the Ihama of Ugoneki Chiefdom, Pa Asia Edionwere – the head of the family, Pa Ibizugbe A. Albert – the Odionwere (head) of the village and Mr Charles Igbinosun – the Okaighele of Ugon’Iyekeikpoba Chiefdom.
Question: I asked the elders what Ukhure was, what material it was made from and its significance of Ukhure to the Benin people. Response: Ukhure is the symbolic representation of the departed who have been installed as a living ancestor. It is through the Ukhure that they are remembered and invoked to guide the family, bless their descendants and impose punishment for dissenting members of the family or anyone who commits a crime. Not all woods are used for carving the Ukhure staff. The staff goes through a process of fortification which prepares it for installation and use. The wood used for carving the staff are Uloko (Iroko), Blackwood, Evbe (Kolanut tree) and Ikhinmwin (new boulder tree). The preparation involves the use of medicinal herbs for fortification to make the Ukhure spiritually potent. From thence, the Ukhure becomes the symbol of the ancestors. No family does not have an Ukhure, which serves as its family identity and source of authority. It is similar to the maze. No ritual and oat-taking is performed in the family outside the ancestral altar, including dispute resolution. In the family altar, there are as many _Ukhure _as much as can be remembered or contained. A branch of an extended family is sometimes allowed to establish an altar where they can start a new line that the elders of the larger family will commission. There is also the _Ukhure _for deities and communal religious shrines. Such altars have a single Ukhure, unlike the family altar.