. . . . . . . "text/plain" . "en" . . "The Coronation Journey (Usama Rituals)\nTraditionally, when a crown prince (Edaiken) becomes Oba, he must undergo the journey from Usama (the original Benin settlement) into the heart of Benin City.\nAlong this sacred journey, rituals are performed at shrines and ancestral sites. The presence of symbolic creatures—especially birds—can be read as omens of approval or warning.\nThe “bird of prophecy” might be invoked in chants or symbolism during this passage, marking the transition from mortal prince to divine king."@en . "Oral history."@en . . . "Chukwubuikem Onwuameze" . . . "Benin" . . . . . . . . "Colonial Collections" . "RSA" . "MIGfMA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBAQUAA4GNADCBiQKBgQCjacvAn9ThRavRNSz4loOjavvDMuE6k+cQ+v/0qifyKuVtTjncgSQefN29pfCJa7o7/PBJ6CT4vsD4B2CJDUAKLGkH1IT67buxrsxCJmczVIy/0qpxjY2Vl4NcgnoGrsVo4qGW4vQdQxXrPqH6zJ8kVvKCv0UyFZmAlE4mJMpxrwIDAQAB" . "mMc/p75mHdV1fHNfW6bgQ5f1zHyXTS8fsdvcDsTF9c+qCcF/CvbBsnwDlzF8xMhWTnON8/KZNirPYgJPcBe1khilmrNe/8H19G5c2eRl2KowsMWnPiw3EWHYGfpE9YAtM1kYqJ0ZgmVHoN4uLfr1lN4nUTbpR6VWSWEPMLNVwXI=" . . . "2025-10-02T12:47:48.056Z"^^ . . . . . . .