By Steve Seigha, Warri
It was a beehive of activities yesterday at the Warri Palace of His Highness, Godday Smith (aka Bounanaei, King of the forest) as selected women from Gbekebor Pelekoro Masquerade feast paid a courtesy royal visit which commemorated with cultural dancing, drumming and singing at the palace.
The women mainly aged grandmothers least one is 70 years and above visited their spiritual king and husband who goes by the most revered title Ogrumaseibou, the ancient deity of Gbekebor community.
Leader of the women Mama Fionkereabofa Ekparabou told the audience that ”We came to see our spiritual father, deity and husband) to give their support and loyalty at the same time receive his blessing for and on behalf of the Gbekebor community. Bounawei has protected the community both physically and spiritually. We deemed it fit to come to salute and express our loyalty to him ’’ she said
King of the forest, in his response, thanked the aged mothers for their visit. He said they have done well and they would be blessed as well as their children and grand children for honouring the deity with a royal visit.
According to him, ”In the physical world, I am not up to your children, but in the spirit realm, I am your deity as I represent the gods on earth. This is an ancient Ijaw culture which has been in practice from the ancient time. I am the ‘Ogrumaseibou’ of Gbekebor and I remain your faithful husband and deity which power shall protect all of you, your children children,others present here for long life and prosperity’’ he poured libation on the floor to the deity.