🗓️ Bini Market Day Checker

About Bini Market Days (Edeki)

The Bini (Edo) people follow a traditional four-day market week cycle that has been practiced for centuries. Just as the Gregorian calendar has seven days, the Great Benin tradition has four days (EDE) in rotation: Aho (Agbado), Eken, Orrie (Ekioba), and Okuo (Ekenaka). These four days also represent the principal market days and the four cardinal points.

Significance of Each Market Day

Ekioba (Oba Market Day) ★ - Most Favorable

According to Jacob U. Egharevba in his celebrated book "Benin Law and Custom," Ekioba is the luckiest of all market days. Oba Market days are often chosen for the most important functions in the land, including:

• Conferment of chieftaincy titles
• Traditional marriages and wedding ceremonies
• Foundation laying ceremonies for new buildings
• Other significant cultural celebrations

Agbado (Aho Market Day) - Favorable

Agbado is the second most favorable day for celebrations and important events. Along with Ekioba, it is considered propitious for fixing marriage ceremonies under Benin Customary Law. The popular Ikpoba Hill market in Benin City holds on Agbado market days.

Ekenaka (Okuo Market Day) - Use With Caution

While not as favorable as Ekioba or Agbado, Ekenaka is not strictly forbidden for events. However, traditional families typically prefer to avoid it for major celebrations like weddings, choosing instead the more auspicious days.

Eken - The Sabbath Day (Avoid)

Eken is regarded as the Sabbath Day - a day set aside for rest, household chores, and holding communal functions or town/village meetings. It is similar to the Jewish observance of the Sabbath. Customary marriages are strictly forbidden on Eken days, and traditional Benin families adhere rigidly to this custom. Even for Christian burials or marriage rites, efforts are made to avoid Eken.

Important Notes for Event Planning

Anyone fixing a ceremony outside of the favorable market days (Ekioba and Agbado) is regarded as not only violating tradition but also taking risks, as each day has been set aside for specific purposes. When traditional marriages are arranged with church or registry weddings, the traditional ceremonies are typically scheduled on appropriate market days, even if this means holding them days or weeks before the church ceremony.

This calendar helps you:

• Check any date to see which market day it falls on
• Choose the most auspicious days (Ekioba or Agbado) for your wedding
• Avoid Eken day for all celebrations and major events
• Plan months ahead to find the best dates
• Respect and maintain authentic Bini cultural traditions

Reference: "Benin Law and Custom" by Jacob U. Egharevba