Igue festival (also known as King's Festival) is a celebration with its origin in the Benin Kingdom of Edo State, southern Nigeria.[1] One tradition states that the festival date coincided with the marriage of Ewuare to a wife named Ewere.[2] Celebrated between Christmas and New Year, the festival includes the Oba's blessing of the land and his people.The Igue festival also honors the memory of former Obas and spans a period of seven days. During the Igue ritual season, the Oba is prohibited from being in the presence of any non-native person.[3]
The Igue Festival was initiated in the 14th century during the reign of Oba Ewuare I, who reigned in Benin between 1440 and 1473.[4] Following Oba Ewuare I's experience whilst fighting as a prince for the Benin throne, he was known as Prince Ogun, the son of Oba Ohen at that time.[5]
The Igue festival, however, now consists of several other festivals put together by Oba Akenzua II. This is because he wanted the festival to last for a couple of days due to the current movement of people and the Igue festival has become a terminal for many other festivals celebrated by the Benin people.[6]