Mosogar Kingdom in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State has declared three months to mourn the passage of the first monarch of the kingdom, HRM Samson Okirhioboh Imoyin-Omene, Udurhie 1.
The three months of mourning according to the Otota of the kingdom, Chief Ighoyota Amori, while addressing newsmen on Saturday at the Mosogar Civic Centre begins today Saturday, December 18, 2021, at 7pm.
The media briefing had in attendance the Mosogar Kingdom Council of Chiefs and Elders, leaders of thought, the family of the deceased monarch led by Christian Omene, an engineer, Ambassador Scott Omene, Dr Wilson Omene and Prince Darwin Omene.
Others were the women of the kingdom also known as the Egwheya, the youths referred to as Ighele and the Inotus that are the traditional warriors of the kingdom.
Within the three months of mourning according to Chief Amori, the following shall apply and be strictly observed as defaulters will be severely sanctioned:
- No burial ceremony is allowed to take place anywhere in the kingdom.
- No marriage ceremony/celebration is permitted within the kingdom.
- No festival of any sort is permitted within the kingdom.
- The wearing of white dresses within the kingdom is forbidden and sanctionable.
- All traditional chiefs are forbidden from wearing single or tripled or multiple Aghighors (round beads); only two rounded beads (Aghighors) is allowed to be worn by Chiefs on their neck.
- The kingdom flag is to be flown at half-mast in strategic places during the period of mourning in the kingdom.
- The wearing of the Kings’ brooch is recommended for all sons and daughters of the kingdom and their sympathisers.
- The Eghweyas and Inotus are to adorn their mourning dresses throughout the period.
- Holding of markets on market days will continue, but one market day is set aside before the burial where market will not hold.
- No open celebration in any hotel;/recreation/entertainment centres are allowed during this period of mourning.
- It is expected that all Mosogar sons and daughters (no matter his or her societal status) will conduct themselves peacefully by obeying and observing all the rules as already laid out in this Press briefing as doing otherwise will attract severe traditional punishments.
Continuing, Chief Amori said, “In line with the gazette establishing the kingdom, the affairs of the kingdom is to be administered by the Ovie-in-Council of Elders and Chiefs until a new king is installed.
“During the period of interregnum, that is the period of time following the demise of an Ovie and the Coronation of his successor or when the Ovie is incapable of performing his official duties, the Obie-in-Council shall perform such duties. The Otota of the kingdom shall be the Chief Spokesman of the kingdom.”
Highpoints of the press briefing were the setting up of a 21-man implementation committee with Chief Freeborn Nana as chairman and the lowering of the kingdom flag by the Otota of Mosogar Kingdom, Chief Ighoyota Amori accompanied by sons and daughters of the kingdom.
