obettaokechukwu

A king walked with the gods and was favored with a divine child who guilded him all through his reign and the people was happy of his great achievement as king.
in generation the kings dynasty came to an end following his grand son not having a male heir to inherit the throne.
now who becomes the king? and where should the next king come from?
is it from the clans worthy of royalty or from the clan that is under covenant never to be kings?
let's find out .....

THE INCARNATION

After a befitting burial of Eze Ebube, the Ofo (the symbol of authority) has returned to the shrine of Umunkata showing that the Late king has been accepted by his ancestors. The crown prince of Umunkata is now to be crowned king after his father Eze Ebube.


The crown prince has successfully undergone all the traditional rites and the coronation has been fixed for next four Eke market day. The royal family are all of one mind in the preparation for the coronation, everybody contributing in one way or the other to make sure the big day is a success.


Now the set date for the coronation has come and the whole people of Umunkata was fully prepared for this day, the music was set, the masquerades and dancers are all on ground. The youths, women and children where all gathered for the great event and the king makers of Umunkata were already seated.


When the time to crown the new king came, the king makers called forth the crown prince and he knelt before them.


Then the Onowu ( the spokes man of the king makers) said,


Onowu: to the people " today we are all gathered here to witness the coronation of a new king son of Eze Ebube, the Ebube dike 1 of Umunkata"


Onowu: to the crown prince " son of Eze Ebube, you have fulfilled all the humanly traditional kingship rites and therefore, the people of Umunkata are gathered here today to confide on you the kingship honor" he fixed on his hands and neck the Royal beads and with the crown on hands he continued


Onowu: to the crown prince "today with power vested on by the people and the gods of Umunkata I crown you king of Umunkata, the Ebube dike 2 of Umunkata" and he gently wear him the crown.


The new king greeted the people and ordered the music to continue.


That evening while the merriment was still on ,Onowu called on the new king and said


"Igweeee! The people of Umunkata have all seen you and have happily accepted you as our king. Now its time for gods and the spirit of your ancestors to confirm you as the king of Umunkata with the Ofo.


Ebube dike it is time for you to undergo the same journey your father Eze Ebube and your ancestors went through. You will have to go alone to Ajo ofia (The evil forest) to the shrine of Umunkata to bring home the Ofo (The symbol of authority). That will show that the gods accept you as the king" 


When he was done speaking the whole people with their music escorted Ebube dike to the boundary and there everybody returned to their houses. Then the real journey for the kingship began with Ebube dike alone in the forest.


Ebube dike wandered alone in the forest for six days, facing many challenges and obstacles but in all he triumphed because the gods is with him. In the seventh day he found the shrine and behold he found the Ofo right there in the shrine. Immediately, he picked up the Ofo he found himself at the palace with the Ofo in his hand.


Ebube dike summoned the cabinet members and presented the Ofo before them and all rejoiced. And that marked the beginning of the reign of another king over Umunkata.


THE REIGN OF A NEW KING