Before the house of God, the throne announces itself.
The Oba’s car parked outside Holy Aruosa during a thanksgiving service.
#obaofbenin #Benincity #marosaha #holyarousa #rollsroyce
Last week, I decided to hit the streets again. I walked around the famous Ring Road for about an hour while shooting a project, moving through the crowd, watching everyone go about their daily activities.
Slowly, I began to feel what it used to be like shooting street photography in the past, getting reacquainted with the rhythm of the street. Along the way, I made new friends.
Being out there reminded me of something important, the power of waiting. Slowing down opens your eyes to see images from angles and perspectives you would otherwise miss.
I was glad to be back on the street, and I’ll keep showing up.
Photo caption: A sculpture of an ancient Oba, Ring Road, Benin City.
#pictureoftheday #benincity #obaofbenin #marosaha #everydayafrica
Oil fish
Oil isn’t the only liquid gold flowing through Igbide, Delta State.
For 3 days every year, Lake Urhie transforms into one of the busiest marketplaces in the Niger Delta. This is the Urei Fishing Festival, a tradition as old as Igbide itself. Months before December, the lake is closed. No one is allowed to fish. It’s forbidden. During this time, the fish grow, the community waits, the anticipation builds.
When the festival finally begins, it’s an explosion. Fishermen and women paddle their boats into the lake at dawn while buyers crowd the riverbanks, cash in hand, ready to bargain.
The catch comes in fast. Giant fish are taxed right there on the spot. Then the work begins, women smoke the fish over open fires, some fry and sell it with yams and plantains, others sell it raw to traders who’ve traveled from neighboring states.
Money circulates instantly. Deals are struck. Families make the income that will sustain them for the year. In just 72 hours, one lake becomes a multimillion-naira business. But there’s a problem.
The lake is silting slowly filling with sand and mud. Each year, there are fewer fish. The economy weakens. The tradition fades.
The community is calling for help. They need sponsorship. They need intervention. They need someone to care before it’s too late.
This is where culture, commerce, and conservation collide And if Lake Urhie dies, everything it supports dies with it.
#Urhiefestival #isoko #igbide #documentaryphotography #photography
Grateful to God for the past 365 days. 2025 didn’t start easy, but it ended beautifully.
I am so thankful for my family, my friends, and the new families I’ve found across the country. To everyone who welcomed me into your space and trusted me to capture your moments, thank you for the access and the memories.
Special thanks to those who supported my growth and offered a shoulder to lean on when I needed it most. I’m stepping into 2026 with an open heart, ready for everything God has in store.
#everydayafrica #touring #exploration #benin #travelphotography
The Dance of the Ancestors
Beyond the rhythm and the dance lies the spiritual weight of the Ekoko n’Utẹ. Serving as the bridge between our world and the ancestral realm, these masquerades play a pivotal role in the Igue Festival a time of thanksgiving and the renewal of the Oba’s spiritual strength.
Through the sacred Ukhurhe (staff), the Ekoko n’Utẹ offers blessings and prayers for the Monarch, ensuring peace and prosperity for the Kingdom.
📸: The Ekoko n’Utẹ masquerade performing before the Oba of Benin at the Royal Palace.
#Ugierhoba #IgueFestival #ObaOfBenin #BeninKingdom #BeninCity #EdoCulture #NigerianCulture #ObaEwuareII #RoyalRegalia #AfricanHistory #DocumentaryPhotography #Tradition #Nigeria #marosaha #reportage #festival #lensculture #everydayafrica #everydayeverywhere #traditionalpractice
For the second consecutive year, I had the honor of documenting the ancient Ugie Festival in the great Benin Kingdom. The celebration began with Ugierhoba, the solemn ceremony dedicated to honoring the Oba’s father and royal ancestors. This ritual is vital for invoking their blessings on the reigning monarch and the future of the Benin kingdom.
Photograph captures the procession of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpọlọkpọlọ, Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, toward the ceremonial courtyard.
#Ugierhoba #IgueFestival #ObaOfBenin #BeninKingdom #BeninCity #EdoCulture #NigerianCulture #ObaEwuareII #RoyalRegalia #AfricanHistory #DocumentaryPhotography #Tradition #Nigeria #marosaha #reportage #festival #lensculture #everydayafrica #everydayeverywhere #traditionalpractice
Protests Disrupt Museum Opening in Benin City
Benin City was the scene of unexpected events on Sunday, November 9, 2025, during the soft opening of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA). The morning began beautifully, drawing art lovers, curators, tourists, and invited guests. However, as the second session commenced, protesters were seen approaching the entrance.
Their voices echoed inside the museum, prompting organizers to move guests to a secure room. They remained there for approximately two hours until the Commissioner of Police arrived. The Commissioner assured the guests of their safety and announced a temporary halt to the museum’s opening.
The protests stem from concerns that the museum’s opening violates cultural heritage, with protesters emphasizing the Oba of Benin’s role as the custodian of Benin’s heritage. The museum has since moved its preview events and advised visitors to suspend travel plans. The situation remains tense as discussions continue.
📸 for @apnews
#mowaa #benincity #artifacts #journalim #photojournalism #nigeria #africa #historyinpictures #africa #edostate
I’ve had the privilege of photographing in various palaces and kingdoms across Nigeria, but I’ve never witnessed a king as revered as the Oba of the Benin Kingdom. The depth of respect and tradition is truly remarkable.
It’s believed that the Oba of Benin is a divine representation on Earth, and he is both feared and respected by the people of Benin. This belief shapes every aspect of life in the kingdom.
First slide: Image of the Oba’s subjects awaiting his arrival. Notice the anticipation and reverence in their eyes.
Second slide: Subjects of the Oba of Benin hurrying with the Oba’s seat, as they were late. This shows the importance of punctuality and respect for the Oba’s time.
#everydayafrica #traditionalpractice #exploration #benin #travelphotograhy #journalism #people #nigeria #iguefestival #culture #nikonshooter #nikon #everydayeverywhere #visualstory #festival #historyinpictures #photooftheday #photojournalism #landscape #osunosogbo #worldpressphoto #everydaylife #africa #everydayafrica #lensculture #reportagespotlight #obaofbeninkingdom #ugieiron #beninstory
The return of 115 looted artifacts was a joyous occasion, a moment made even more significant by their repatriation from the Netherlands on June 18th, 2025. Growing up in Warri, I was immersed in stories and movies about the British invasion of the Benin kingdom and the subsequent looting of its treasures. In 2013, I relocated to Benin City and vividly recall the sound of a large speaker at Ring Road, promoting @lancelotimasuen film, “Benin Invasion 1897,” which recounted the kingdom’s conquest. This return presented a unique opportunity to witness and document history. The Oba of Benin received the 115 artifacts. At his palace, he danced in celebration and vowed to dance again upon the return of more artifacts from around the world. The most compelling moment for me during this assignment was when the Oba held up the Adà and extended it towards the artifacts, commanding them to seek out and bring back other artifacts from across the globe.
On assignment for NRC @nrcinbeeld
✍️: @eoudeelferink
📝: edited by @rachenbach
Read about the story
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/06/23/benin-bronzen-uit-nederland-overgedragen-aan-nigeria-onze-voorvaderen-zijn-terug-a4897929
#everydayafrica #traditionalpractice #exploration #benin #travelphotograhy #journalism #people #nigeria #beninartifacts #culture #nikonshooter #nikon #everydayeverywhere #visualstory #netherlands #historyinpictures #photooftheday #photojournalism #landscape #marosaha #worldpressphoto #everydaylife #africa #everydayafrica #lensculture #reportagespotlight #obaofbeninkingdom #restitution #beninstory #nrc
As part of the annual Igue festival held in Benin, the Ugie Iron is a war ceremony performed to depict a fight between an Oba and the Uzama (the kingmakers) in the 15th century.
This act is demonstrated by the Oba, the Edogun of Benin, the Isiemwenro Royal Regiment, and the Uzama N’Irhihon. In a cultural display, they dance to the sound of drums while holding their weapons, showcasing how the Uzama were defeated by the Oba of Benin.
This ceremony highlights the power of the Oba of Benin and serves as a way for the chiefs to pledge their loyalty to the great Oba.
#everydayafrica #traditionalpractice #exploration #benin #travelphotograhy #journalism #people #nigeria #iguefestival #culture #nikonshooter #nikon #everydayeverywhere #visualstory #festival #historyinpictures #photooftheday #photojournalism #landscape #osunosogbo #worldpressphoto #everydaylife #africa #everydayafrica #lensculture #reportagespotlight #obaofbeninkingdom #ugieiron #beninstory
