Ooni: Palace imposes day curfew Wednesday

In a test of wills between modernity and tradition, the Ile-Ife palace has declared a 9am to 4pm curfew for Wednesday (tomorrow) to conclude the rite of passage of the demised foremost Yoruba traditional ruler, Oba Okunade Sijuwade II.

The death of the monarch, which had for about two weeks been denied by the palace, will be formally announced by the cult after the curfew for the dreaded cult known as “oro.”

Two legal practitioners who spoke to our correspondent on Monday night declared that the day curfew is a breach of the people’s constitutionally-guaranteed right to freedom of movement. They also wondered how such a proclamation could be made in this age, particularly if a medical emergency arises during the period.

It would be recall that it was reported on Monday that tension mount as important ingredient for the burial rites was missing, a phrase they interpreted to mean the ‘Aboba ku’, one who dies with a monarch.

The Yoruba tradition believes that a monarch cannot embark on the journey to the great beyond unaccompanied.

During the lifetime of the monarch, a person is named for the role and is said to enjoy immense benefits with the monarch.

At the demise of the traditional ruler, the Abo ba ku meekly surrenders to death.

Although unconfirmed, residents of the town were on Monday reported to be afraid that the unidentified person had gone underground.

An aide of the Osun State Government, who spoke under anonymity, denied knowledge of the curfew.

The aide told our correspondent, “The Governor have been busy with the Osun summit and he also made a dash to Ilesa over Sunday night’s market fire. We have no hand in any curfew.”

Meanwhile, the official proclamation of the demise of Oba Sijuwade will be made public on Wednesday (tomorrow), according to the Awara of Iwara-Ife, Oba Layi Adereti.

Oba Adereti, who is also the head of the Oro cult in Ile-Ife, made the disclosure on Monday while speaking on the preparation of the burial of the monarch who was said to have passed on at the Saint Mary Hospital in London about two weeks ago.

According to the traditional ruler, who spoke for the first time on the reported demise of the foremost monarch, the Oro festival is the final rite of passage for an Ooni.

He stated that 9am to 4pm on Wednesday has been fixed for the final pronouncement of the demise of Ooni.

Additionally, ‎Oba Adereti informed all residents, male and female, to remain indoors during the rite.

He declared that after the Oro and proclamation, subsequent rites would follow.

The monarch added that though only females are normally barred when Oro festival is being held, this time round, it has no respect for any gender.

The monarch added: “This is an official statement from the palace of Awara of Iwara-Ife who is the head of Oro deity that on Wednesday 12th August 2015, there would be official proclamation of the demise of Ooni of Ife. The proclamation will be made public during the Oro festival, being the final rites on the demise of Ooni of Ife.

“The residents of the ancient town are therefore urged to keep away from the streets between the hours of 9am and 4pm during which the Oro deity will be out.

“With the announcement, people are advised to stay in-door for the period when the Oro will be out.”