IRESHA ORIRI | TITLE TAKING

IRESHA ORIRI (Azebani/Ipoje title taking ceremonies)

Both ceremonies have uniform patterns as they are being conferred on celebrants by their respective Clan heads (Oshis) in their palaces. The (Azebanis) elders take ‘Azebani’ title while the middle age group takes the ‘Ipoje’ title. Each celebrant is given a special day ‘Amomo’ for his clan head to confer the title of his choice on him. Titles are borne according to seniority in each clan. The Azebani title starts not earlier than the fifth day after Ukuokiku and undertaken by each of the celebrants in a specified customary order.

Some Clans have special Azebani titles in which other clans cannot adopt for instance Eziezu clans have the Okomayin titles while Anonyete has Oseh title and Eshimozoko has Ukanah title. There are common titles any member may choose from or he may decide to choose any name they so deem fit. This occasion is marked with a costly feast. There is need for celebrants to have another complete set of agbada for the occasion for those who can afford to buy. Family members also join in sowing new attires to make it more colorful.

As the man moves on the streets accompanied by his wife who carries a horse tail (omu) including youths and members of his clan singing and dancing to the ‘ogamoza’ dance, he makes monetary gifts to elders who come out to cheer and congratulate him.

Organized youths in the community usually at night come up with a masquerade dance to visit intending Azebani who graduated from Opoze who in turn gift the youths money. It is a stock taking of members due for the title and a way of keeping records of those who take the title in a particular dispensation. However this practice has given way to modern methods of documentation which mainly involves the compilation of albums featuring pictures and biographies of the celebrants.

The Azebani constitute the council of Elders and are held in high esteem in the community as they say prayers in gatherings and have authority to ratify, modify and annul laws made by the opozes.

The ipoje title holders constitute the influentuial members of the community and are palace chiefs in their respective clans. Ipoje chiefs are mostly recognized by their wearing of blue beads around their wrist and neck, straw hats on their heads which parrot feather could be fixed.