Songs recorded on 8 November 2023 in Zurich
Songs by:
Edo Cultural Group
Lady Aghabiomon Ogbeiwi
Monday Edo Igbinidu
Exhibition „In Dialogue with Benin. Art, Colonialism and Restitution“
The exhibition is part of the Benin Initiative Switzerland
- Ogbaisi mwen nogie
Ogbaisi, my king,
Ovonramwen, who presides over Edo,
Ogbaisi, my king,
Ovonramwen, Ogbaisi, my king,
Ogbaisi - Ehi mwen
My guardian angel,
Come to my aid, guardian angel - Iye mwen niye
My mother, my mother, my mother,
The insides should have been on the outside
So as to know the intent of the heart.
My mother - E o yowo
Oh nooooo
The white man deceitfully
Carried Oba Ovonramwen away.
We were on our own,
Minding our own business,
Serving our Oba,
Performing the festival of our Oba.
The white men came and
Brought bad blood to the land.
Hey came to compete
To be the first to capture Edo,
Edo, land of the Oba of Benin.
James Phillips the white man,
The overzealous,
Came to Edo
To overdo it.
He swore to capture Edo.
But he failed.
He took many Edo artefacts
To the white man’s land.
Capt. Gen. Moor, the Elder,
Wrote a letter to Edo,
Telling the Oba,
I will come in three days’ time.
When he (Oba) is done with the Ague Festival,
I am traveling back to London, Oba.
The white men have laws,
The Edo also have laws.
When the Oba observes the Ague ceremony,
Strangers are not received
Violation of this is a sacrilege that may
result in death.
White man, violation of this is a sacrilege
That may result in death.
Lamentation Songs composed by: 1) Monday Edo Igbinidu 2) and 3) Edo Cultural Group 4) Lady Aghabiomon Ogbeiwi
More information: Museum Rietberg
