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When a suitable person for the chieftaincy stool has been identified, an announcement to that effect will be made. The royal cap (udara) is placed on his head with this, elders of the village will when then take new chief to his relative’s house or to any other suitable house of another person where he is expected to remain in-doors for nine days. During this time of temporary seclusion, it is expected and believed that the new chief would begin to think, and map out plans of how he will govern the village effectively. This seclusion is also a way of initiating him in the way of the life of chiefs, whereby they are not expected to always be seen roaming about the village aimlessly. For the nine days, drummers and dancers perform every morning and evening at the house where the new chief is hidden. While this goes on, preparations will be going on for his coming out (tu bane) on the ninth day. A lot of wine will be made and food prepared to feed all that will grace the occasion. On the ninth day, when the chief is expected to be out, the wives of his sons will dye the legs and hands with ilelu leaves (a type of leaves used to dye the legs and hands for beautification). This is to impress in the chief that he is now a new person, and also to beautify him for the occasion. On the ninth day, the new chief comes out of his hiding and meditation. He is then turbaned formally as the new village chief. Goats and chickens that he would have purchased and many others from is in-laws are freely killed and a lot of food is prepared for the people to eat and be merry. A goat is also killed and sacrificed to the ancestors, telling them that the village has now got a new chief thus solicit for their guidance and direction. After the official public turbaning, people play and make merry for about three days before they disperse. The new chief then take proper mantle of leadership of the village, offering judgments, setting disputes, and performing other secular and religion ceremonies and duties on behalf of the village. Any problem that is beyond the power of the family heads is brought to the chief, who is seen as the person that has the final say in any case punishment are meted in accordance with the traditions of the people and the laws of the land. |