The ancient town of Badagry has officially drawn the curtain on the initial seven-day mourning period for its departed monarch, His Royal Majesty, De Wheno #Aholu Menu Toyi I, following the conclusion of key traditional rites on Monday, 19 January 2026.
The seventh day marked a defining moment in the long-established customs of the Badagry Kingdom, signalling the completion of the first spiritual cycle associated with the transition of an #Akran.
From the early hours of the day, a solemn calm enveloped the town as residents paused routine activities to honour a ruler whose reign lasted nearly five decades.
As part of the observance, #Agbalata International Market was shut before dawn, bringing commercial activities to a standstill. The closure allowed traditional institutions to perform final rites considered essential for spiritual balance and communal cleansing.
The #Zangbeto, alongside designated town criers, carried out symbolic movements across major public spaces in line with ancestral customs.
Speaking on the importance of the rites, Chief Tunde Giro, the Depegan of Badagry and a senior member of the Royal Council, explained that the seventh day represents the formal spiritual separation of the monarch from the physical realm. According to him, the rites performed ensure harmony between the living community and the ancestral world.
Palace sources disclosed that some of the most sensitive rituals took place during the night, conducted away from public view and under strict traditional protocols. Throughout the day, silence was maintained across the town, with music, drumming and festivities prohibited as a sign of respect.
Residents were seen moving quietly around the palace vicinity, many clad in traditional mourning attire. For many families, the day carried deep emotional weight, reinforcing a shared sense of loss and collective responsibility to preserve the values associated with the late monarch’s reign.
Although the seven-day mourning has formally ended, the Badagry Traditional Council has confirmed that further rites remain. A ninth-day ceremony has been scheduled for Wednesday, 21 January 2026, as part of extended royal observances.
In the coming days, the Royal Family is expected to issue official information regarding funeral arrangements, public tributes and the next stages of the succession process, in coordination with the Lagos State Government.
As Badagry moves beyond the first phase of mourning, the town stands at a delicate intersection of remembrance and continuity—honouring the legacy of a revered king while gradually turning attention toward the future of its historic throne.