Igun Street: StakeHolder Raises Concern Over Edo’s Cultural Heritage

Igun Street, also called Igun-Eronmwon Quarters, is home to the hereditary guild of Benin bronze and brass casters, which oral tradition links to Oba Oguola in the 13th century. The guild’s roughly 120 members, who once worked only for the Oba, now sell to tourists, collectors and institutions.

Hon. Chief Ede Ogbomoh, National President of the Elderly Care Alliance of Nigeria, spoke to a correspondent of Obaland Media on Igun Street, the home of the city’s bronze casters. He said arts and culture have not received enough attention from the state government, noting that there is a lot of value to be gained from proper investment in the arts.

Ogbomoh said Igun’s bronze is a source of pride for Benin. “They can cast me now,” he said. “As I’m talking to you, they can cast me and my resemblance will come out.”

He added that every cultural group in Benin today traces its origin to the Arts, Culture and Tourism authority. He gave the Inneh cultural group as an example, saying it emerged from the Edo cultural group, as did the musicians now performing.

He said that during his time on the board, which he placed in the Victor Uwaifo era, members separated culture from the work of artisans and perfected the troupes’ costumes.

According to him, the agency has no office and has lost its old base at the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre. He noted that the state has a traditional medicine board and could have one for Arts, Culture and Tourism as well.

His main concern is succession. Most members of the cultural troupes have “faded out,” he said, and he called for young people to be recruited and trained to replace them. He also asked that the riverine areas and Edo North be brought into the state’s cultural programmes.

While commending the focus on the Victor Uwaifo Hub, he closed with a direct appeal to the government to open a training centre for cultural troupes for the propagation of culture and the arts.