Edo State Royalty opens up on his life and the traditions of his people

HRM, The Okhuokphelagbe of Okpella Kingdom

The long journey into Okpella, several miles away from Benin in Edo state was fruitful with the crowning of having the opportunity to chat with the traditional ruler of the kingdom, the Okhuokphelagbe of Okpella, who shared with Olori Wendy, his live as well as the culture of his community.

What can you disclose about the Okpella Kingdom, history wise?

History wise, We are from benin, we come from benin, the okpella you hear today is somebody who is Okpei, he is the son of Ipomosa, who came with his father Ipomosa to this community. Okpei because of a dispute with a prince of the Benin kingdom at that time, over a lady on marriage, and because nobody dares argues with a prince of the monarchy of Benin, had to leave Benin totally, go into a wilderness, walked into a place called Opuzobe, that's where we have the Okpella of today. He married a woman called  Eveva, who gave birth to four kids, Obute, Ase, both male children, the third a female, Ekure, and the fourth a male named Onmegere. Those four children are of the conception of Eveva and Okpei, known as Okpella kingdom today.




What are the people of Okpella known for?

The people of Okpella are known for farming, cash crops, yam, anything farming, Okpella is known for that.

Wendy having a chat with the King

What are the challenges you have had as the leader here?

Well, there are normal challenges, disputes, land disputes between villages, one village to the other, when they arrive I settle them all



What is your daily routine like?

Daily schedule is very business wise, to the fact like today, I have held series of meetings. I am very careful in handling them otherwise you throw them into confusion, whether the matter is little or big, then they are very happy.



What are your rights as the Okhuokphelagbe in terms of acquires?

My rights are that as the traditional ruler of Okpella, wherever I want land is my land but I don't take land that belongs to another person. I take from the one nobody is already occupying. I tell the family, I am taking so so land to build so so on it. As right now I am building a palace extension. I take what is enough for me. I don't pay for the land.

Also, I have many wives, I don't count my wives and the same thing, children, I can't tell you, it is palace secret.



What are the social activities in this kingdom?

We have lots of festivals like Otu Itashe, Okure, Isoku, and many big festivals that we do. I wish anyone is going on now so u can witness it.

Wendy, The Okhuokphelagbe of Okpella Kingdom, Queen, and Oyinkansola at the palace of the monarch

The King during a function in the community

What would you like the Government to do for this community as their duty?

Government are supposed to give us good roads, build health centers, build schools, however, the Government is not forgetting us at all.



What are the taboos of this community?

Like Otu Itache, when that ceremony is starting, that is when we go to the ancestors area, no non indigent comes near. whenever a stranger come to the community, because it is not everybody that can come to me, we have village heads, chiefs, the person will go and introduce him or herself to the chief there, the chief will tell him or her the taboos and culture of this community.



What would you have loved to change in the culture of this community?

The ones we have now does not need to be changed but the only thing we tell them is that the ones that carry sacrifices should be aborted. We have only one God, we abolish killing of goats, cows to serve sticks and stones, because God is one. We celebrate our ceremonies to interest people according to the native laws and customs.







How long have you been the King and what are the notable changes you have brought to the community?

Yes, I'm almost going to forty two(42) years on the throne. I have brought lots of changes. There were few primary schools and one college, now we have colleges and many primary schools, all these are as a result of my effort to change the entire live of Okpella kingdom. We are moving with lives as it is upholding every where, everyday.