Oba’s Death: All Benin Kingdom Markets Closed, Males To Shave Heads:

The Benin Traditional Council, during the formal announcement of the transition of the Oba, Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa, has directed the sons of the Kingdom of Benin to shave their heads while palace chiefs with multiple beads are to wear only one
A statement by the Iyase of the Kingdom, Sam Igbe, relayed in local Benin language, and translated into the hundreds of palace chiefs, sons, daughters and journalists, also directed, as a sign of respect to his royal majesty, that all markets be closed until further notice.

By the directive, at least 15 major markets across the seven local government councils that make up the Benin Kingdom and Edo South District closed immediately.

Oba Erediauwa was aged 92.He was 56 when he succeeded his father, Oba Akenzua 11, on March 23‎, 1979, as the 38th Oba of Benin.

The formal announcement followed the breaking of the White Chalk at the Urho-Ozolua shrine in the presence of palace high chiefs and others, a symbolic ritual to signify the demise.