Igue Festival: A Complete Guide to Benin Kingdom’s Sacred Cultural Celebration

In the heart of Benin City, Edo State, one of the most culturally symbolic festivals is celebrated. The Igue Festival is a deeply spiritual and royal ceremony rooted in centuries of tradition, history and reverence for the Benin Monarchy.

Visitors seeking more than just sightseeing will find the Igue Festival to be a window into the soul of the great Benin Kingdom.

The Igue Festival is for the purification and a means for thanksgiving carried out by the Oba of Benin. The Festival is seen as a period of renewal for the entire kingdom and also signifies the beginning of the traditional new year.

Why the Igue Festival?

The Igue Festival is a ritual used to cleanse the land, invoke blessings for peace and ward off evil. Igue Festival is solemn, highly symbolic and strictly guided by traditions. It is a traditional heritage in its purest form.

Cultural Significance

The rituals performed during Igue Festival carries meaning, from prayers to ancestral spirits to symbolic acts of renewal. A reminder that Benin culture transcends museum pieces and it is lived, practiced and protected.

When and Where the Igue Festival Takes Place

The 2025 Igue Festival (Ugie) unfolds across a series of sacred rites that reflect the spiritual depth of the Benin Kingdom, under the directive of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin. 

The festival opens on December 14 with the Ugierhoba indoor rite, followed by the Otue Igue Oba ceremony on December 16, one of the core royal observances. On December 20 from 3:00 p.m., the Ugie-Emobo rite takes place, symbolising purification and renewal, while December 22 is observed as Igue Edohia, a day for personal worship in homes across Edo land. 

The following day, December 23, marks Ugie Ewere, when sacred Ewere leaves are brought into homes as symbols of blessings, with visitor seating arranged at the palace. The festival reaches its spiritual climax on Sunday, December 28, 2025, with a worship service led by the Oba at the Holy Aruosa Cathedral, Akpakpava, beginning at 10:00 a.m., with additional engagements to be announced as appropriate.

Photography is restricted in some cases. The Igue Festival is solemn to the Benin people and needs to be respected. Observing quietly, dressing modestly and following local guidance are essential for visitors.

What Visitors Should Know Before Attending

A solemn event, the Igue Festival is not a spectacle. Visitors are expected to respect the cultural rules, avoid behaviour that might be viewed as intrusive, dress appropriately and do not disregard palace rules and etiquette.

Navigating these sacred protocols is easier with local guidance, which is where Berudah Travels can help with expert assistance.

Why the Igue Festival Is Worth the Journey

The Igue Festival is unique when compared to other festivals in Nigeria because of spiritual depth and royal exclusivity. For members of the diaspora and cultural enthusiasts the Igue Festival is unforgettable.

Experience the Igue Festival with Berudah Travels

At Berudah Travels, we believe cultural travel should be immersive, enjoyed and unforgettable. 

We help arrange and plan for a guided cultural experience that gives context, local insights and seamless travel support.

Plan your Igue Festival experience with Berudah Travels, where every journey tells a story.

FAQs

What is the Igue Festival?

The Igue Festival is a sacred annual purification and thanksgiving ceremony of the Benin Kingdom, performed by the Oba of Benin to renew the land and mark the traditional new year.

When does the Igue Festival take place?

The Igue Festival is usually held in December. However, the exact dates are traditionally announced by the Oba of Benin’s Palace, and visitors are advised to plan with flexibility.

Can visitors attend the Igue Festival?

Yes, visitors may observe parts of the festival, but it is not a public spectacle. Certain areas are restricted, photography may be limited, and strict cultural etiquette must be respected.