Annual royal festival of the Benin Kingdom
The Igue Festival, also known as King's Festival, is a sacred royal ceremony initiated in the 14th century during the reign of Oba Ewuare I (1440-1473). The festival includes the Oba's blessing of the land and people, honors the memory of former Obas, and involves sacred rituals where the Oba must not be in the presence of non-natives. Originally linked to Oba Ewuare's marriage to his wife Ewere, the festival was later expanded by Oba Akenzua II to incorporate several other traditional celebrations.