Edo State, popularly referred to as the heartbeat of Nigeria, is known for its rich cultural endowment. It also stands out as a tourist destination to foreigners and lovers of arts and culture. Visitors are usually fascinated with the allure and splendor of the festival and cultural relics, and way of life of the people.
The Benin Ugie festival takes pre-eminence amongst festivals celebrated in the state and is paramount to the people of Benin kingdom. The Benin Ugie is one of the oldest cultural festivals from the ancient city of Benin and it dates back over 600 years. This festival celebrated annually in the month of December, has endured and continues to retain its main features despite modernization especially as it serves as rallying point for the sons and daughters of the land apart from promotion of the cultural values, history and arts for which she is renowned worldwide.
In 2011, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Erediauwa, the Oba of Benin gave authorization to Hexagon Network Limited, an outfit owned by Prince Omoregbe Erediauwa, to repackage the Ugie Festival for tourist attraction within and outside the country. In line with this, Hexagon Network Limited, to further boost the cultural heritage of the Edos and the tourism value of the festival, introduced some innovative events that created more excitement, fun, entertainment, creativity and empowerment for the populace especially the young and the adventurous. A deliberate infusion was made between the ancient and the modern which met with the approval of the palace. Some of the innovative events are:
The Carnival/Street Party: This is a parade of people across the streets of Benin in varying, exciting, colourful and sequined costume in a mix of the old and the new, the traditional and the contemporary. The carnival celebration features street dance by different groups, a sensuous experience of classic tunes, stand-up concerts, non-stop high energy performances, acrobatics, and special performances by the reveled Benin masquerade group – Ekpo. The street carnival is a day of fun-filled celebration and nonstop excitement that has been running for three (3) consecutive years.
The Beauty Pageant:
The beauty pageant tagged “Ugie Carnival Queen Beauty Pageant” is an event that celebrates the virtues of the Edo woman. The pageant celebrates the beauty, intelligence, personality and talent of the Edo woman. It displays the tenacity, grace and industrious nature of the Edo woman. It also promotes the understanding of the culture and values that has made the Edo woman the pride of households in Benin from time immemorial. There have been two editions of this event with winners for the two editions going home with a brand new car and N1m each. Miss Samantha Aikpoh, (a pharmacist graduate who is currently doing her youth service in Delta State) was winner for 2012 and Miss Osa – mede Igbinoba (300 Law student from University of Benin) was winner for 2013. Her tenure expired 31st December, 2014. The current queen, Stephanie Otabor, is a Theater Arts Student from the University of Benin. Stephanie’s tenure expires 31st December, 2015.
Arts Exhibition
This is a two-week art event that showcases the resilience, perseverance, struggles and triumphs of the life and time of the Edo people as depicted in the arts. The Edo people have been famous for their creativity and craftsmanship. Their arts have always served as historical documents and mnemonic devices to reconstruct the history of the ancient civilization. The exhibition features a large collection of exquisite paintings, carvings by the famous royal guild, bronze works and the mix-media. It is the only time when people get the opportunity to see the famous diverse and legendary art works of the Benin Kingdom congregated in a specific location.
Theatre and Drama Shows
This event attempts to replay cultural and important events in the life of the Benin people and Kingdom, their impact on the people of old and how it has shaped the Benin outlook then and today.
In the last three years, the drama presentation had always been done by professional actors and actresses in both the Nollywood and Benin Art Council. In the future however, to ignite the interest of the younger generation and encourage active participation in the history and cultural rejuvenation of the land, there is to be a deviation from the usual norm. Post primary and tertiary institutions are to be encouraged to stage chosen and approved drama pieces in different stages of a competition before live audiences and judges. The best perform – ing school(s) will thereafter be presented with an award by His Royal Majesty, the Omo N’Oba himself at the palace ground.
Award Ceremony
The award ceremony tagged the “Oba Erediauwa Excel – lence (Achievers) Award is also another innovative inclusion into the festival by Prince Omoregbe Erediauwa. This is an event that has been running consecutively for the last three years. It is a yearly event that celebrates the achievements of sons and daughters of the country both within and outside the Benin Kingdom, who have distinguished themselves in the endeavours or service to humanity. It honours those who have in one way or the other inspired and elevated the lives of those around them.
Other events include live musical concerts with A-list artists in performance and traditional wrestling matches and games where the younger generations compete against one another in different categories before live spectators. The competition tests their prowess, physique, IQ and mastering of match and games that dates back over 600 years.
The Benin Ugie with these new inclusions, has now become more colourful, more exciting and entertaining for all age groups and also repositions the kingdom in the pinnacle of culture and tourism in Nigeria.
