Wedding of a Benin Princess. Oba Akenzua II's eldest daughter, Princess Egbe and Professor Emmanuel Emovon 1956. The princess sat on his father's ( Oba Akenzua II) lap, before he gives her in 'native law and customs' to his future son-in-law. The Oba broke the tradition by allowing his daughters to choose their husbands for themselves,
In those days, it was always usual for the eldest princess to marry the Iyase, and for the second-born to marry the Esogban.
Photo: S.O. Alonge, 1956 (copyright Flora Edouwaye S. Kaplan)
source: Benin Kings and Rituals
Court Arts from Nigeria