How to Support the Oba, the Traditional King of Benin
Between Force and Philosophy
Oluwatoyin Vincent Adepoju
What You Must Do
1. Beat up somebody while shouting ''Long live the Oba!''.
You must do this because instead of earlier declaring ''Long Live the Oba'' as is customarily done, the person began properly but switched to ''Long live the Edo People'' whom the Oba represents. That switch is taboo. Only "Long Live the Oba'' is permitted.
2. Even better, strip the person naked, drag them through the streets of Benin to the Oba's palace and make them kneel on the ground and crawl forward in obeisance.
The fact that this person is one of the most notable artistic ambassadors of Benin culture is irrelevant.
He is nothing beside what you understand as the majesty of the Oba, therefore his existence as an ant that can be easily crushed must be made clear to this person, his supporters and the whole world.
3. Attack a world class institution in Benin celebrating African culture, destroy property and compel dignitaries from various parts of the world assembled there to be evacuated under duress, because you understand the institution is not in line with the Oba's wishes
What You Must Never Do
1. You must never hold press conferences explaining your position.
2. You must never hold a peaceful protest.
Why Must You Do Only What Has Been Suggested?
1. Because it is taboo to substitute reasoning for emotion, discussion for violence. You must always show strength.
2. Because you must demonstrate that there is more to Benin than being one of the greatest of ancient civilisations represented by some of the greatest visual and oral art, spirituality, philosophy and symbolic engineering the world has ever seen.
3. You must show that Benin of today is to be defined by naked force, the force of the street, of those who can summon justice speedily to defend the Oba through the naked power of Benin people.
4. You must give the impression that Benin people are largely unlettered, unexposed to the world beyond their shores, insensitive to their global image, because of what value is all that in the heat of emotion to protect what you understand as the interests of the Oba, who is Benin culture personified?
5. On no account must your behaviour be connected to such high minded values as the infinite patience creating the awesome symmetry of classical Benin art.
The sensitivity to the awesome, slow but relentlessly powerful movement of cosmic force represented by the ocean waves and the unremitting power of water drop by drop as represented in Benin Olokun philosophy, spirituality and ritual must not guide you.
Speedy action must be your guide.
You must demonstrate no sensitivity to the convergence of time and eternity as the intersecting lines of the Benin Olokun igha ede graphic forms flash into being at the hands of the ohen, the Olokun priest, seeking to stand at the centre mediating between spirit and matter, seeking wisdom.
Only immediate force is relevant.
The sensitivity to the interweaving of cosmic rhythms and life on Earth represented by ancient Benin landscape philosophy, spirituality and practice must be jettisoned for swift and brutal action.
The sensitivity and care that went into the balance of nature and built environment in shaping Benin City in its classical period must never be your point of reference.
Being able to show you are a pure Benin person by naked force is your mission in life.
Salutations to those Benin sons and daughters who at last realise that force is the only currency in this world.
Culture must be defended at all cost, even at the cost of human dignity.
Where is dignity without culture?
Man was made for culture, not culture for man.
All those weaklings who do not understand this vision can go to hell.
( To understand the inspirational context, Google ''Donpedro Obaseki attack'' and also ''MOWAA attack'').
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