Oba of Benin Declares Two-Week Fast: Historical Weight and National Reflections
Benin City | September 9, 2025 By: OVL News
The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has declared a two-week period of fasting and prayers for the kingdom and the nation at large, underscoring the spiritual role of the traditional institution in Nigeria’s socio-political life.
According to palace sources, the fasting period, beginning today and extending through the next fourteen days, will be dedicated to seeking divine intervention for peace, prosperity, and stability in Edo State, Nigeria, and the global community.
The Benin monarchy, one of the oldest surviving kingdoms in Africa, has long maintained a reputation for intertwining spirituality with governance.
Historically, the Oba is regarded as both a political and spiritual leader, embodying the sacred authority of the ancestors.
From as far back as the 13th century, Obas of Benin performed rituals, sacrifices, and periods of abstinence to ensure fertility of the land, protection of the people, and victory in times of war.
Oral traditions recount how Oba Ewuare the Great (1440–1473), after whom the current monarch is named, frequently called for communal fasts and rituals during crises such as famine or conflict.
Declaring fasts was also a means of reaffirming the covenant between the Benin people and their gods, particularly Olokun, the deity of prosperity and fertility.
In recent times, the Oba’s declarations have taken on wider relevance beyond the confines of the kingdom.
With Nigeria facing economic hardship, inflation at record levels, and rising political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections, the monarch’s call resonates as a moral compass for the people.
Cultural historians note that the declaration comes at a time when traditional rulers across the country are increasingly being looked upon to restore a sense of community and morality, where political leadership appears divided.
“The Oba’s decision is not just about religion,” says Dr. Ehimwenma Osayande, “It is about reinforcing the place of spirituality in governance and reminding Nigerians of our collective moral responsibility.”
The act of fasting as a communal practice is not unique to Benin. In Islam, Ramadan serves as both a religious and communal reset, while in Christianity, periods such as Lent are marked by self-denial and spiritual reflection.
In traditional Benin culture, however, fasting and rituals are directly tied to the health of the kingdom and its people.
Thus, the Oba’s two-week fast can be seen as both a cultural revival and a symbolic alignment with global religious traditions, bridging the past and present.
Palace officials have indicated that the two-week fast will be marked by restricted palace activities, prayers, and offerings.
Traditional chiefs and priests are expected to join in solidarity, while the public has been encouraged to participate at individual levels.
The fast is likely to culminate in a special thanksgiving ritual at the palace, symbolizing renewal and the reaffirmation of divine guardianship over the kingdom.
As Edo State and Nigeria at large navigate uncertain political and economic waters, the Oba’s declaration may serve as both a spiritual balm and a cultural reminder of the resilience of one of Africa’s oldest kingdoms.
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