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UPDATE: 200 Traditionalists Perform Final Rights On Late Ooni Of Ife

Published

9 years ago

August 16, 2015

Reports from Ile Ife, Osun State has it that two hundred traditional priests, allegedly representing the town’s deities, converged on Ile-Ife late Friday for series of traditional rites on the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade who is the 201st deity in Ifeland, Sunday Leadership reports
According to sources quoted by the report, shortly after the inter-religious service held in honour of the departed monarch on Friday, the Enuwa Square where the event was held was cordoned off.
It will be recalled that the remains of the monarch were not present at the inter-religious service held on Friday in his honour and was not in any way referred to.
Sources in the town quoted by the report said immediately after the service was concluded, residents were asked to leave the area for subsequent rites to be performed by traditionalists.
“Before 4pm when the restriction of moment would start, people loitering around the palace area were told to leave and the traditionalists took over the area,” a resident said.
“As at then, the remains of Oba Sijuade were still being expected in Ile Oodua. But the representatives of the deities were already on ground. The remains later arrived in the evening and the rites began.
“Apart from the representatives of the deities, all members of Isoro cult were also on ground. And it was purely an affair for those that were really concerned.
“No member of Oba Sijuade’s family was involved in the rites but after completing the process Saturday morning, an item under wrap, we are told must be given to the family of the late monarch,” the source concluded.
On the question of the actual burial of the remains of the late monarch, they said, “only members of Isoro cult can answer that.”