Although the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, has been reported
dead, the palace in Ile Ife and his chiefs have continued to vehemently
deny his passing.
The Chief Priest of Ile Ife, has explained how the next paramount
traditional ruler of Ile-ife would be chosen, if it is eventually
confirmed that the Ooni of Ife has indeed died.
The Ooni is expected to be chosen from the four ruling houses after the chief priest would have consulted the Ifa oracle.
The Obadio Agbaye of Ile-Ife, who also doubles as the chief priest, Chief Olajide Farotimi Faloba, revealed to Vanguard how the process will be carried out;
“I am the Chief priest and the king-maker to the Ooni
stool because I am the mouthpiece of the gods. So, if there should be
coronation, I will be the one that will pronounce it.““There will not be any form of
ceremony of burial while other traditional rites and rituals will take
place as the oracle reveals. There are 201 Yoruba deities and
temples scattered worldwide, 201 of them are in Ife. Among these
deities, the only speaking one is the legendary living Ooni.”“If it happens that an Ooni dies, there are sacrifices and signs that
will be performed. Part of them is the closing of the palace main gate.
Also, the messenger will go around the town with a gong to announce the
demise, while the trees in the ancient town will be cut down, markets
will remain shut to customers and the entire Ife city will be thrown
into mourning. Also, if an Ooni dies, the 201 deities temples will be
duly informed.”“When ever there is a demise of Ooni, the kingmaker and the Ifa
Oracle will pick the next Ooni. 10 or 20 princes may contest after they
might have been presented by their families, but the Ifa priest will
consult the oracle that will choose while myself as the kingmaker will
perform the necessary rituals that will certify him to mount the throne
of Ooni; without this rituals, such potential monarch would not be
Ooni.”Yoruba has a rich tradition. The age-long culture gives form, content
and predictability to the beliefs of its people. The custom has been
inherited from generation to generation. The symbol of the unity of the
race is kingship. Its cradle is Ile-Ife, the cherished sacred abode of
its progenitor, Oduduwa.“Whenever any Owooni (Ooni) Adimula joins his ancestors, the news is
not broken without following the due process of culture. Ooni is the
property of Yoruba race. He is the custodian of the household of
Oduduwa, its shrine and the protector of its legacies. Therefore, it is
absolutely a taboo for any prince, royal family and palace chiefs to
break the news without clearance or approval from the appropriate
traditional quarters.“After ascertaining that the Ooni has waja (died), the palace chiefs
are expected to inform the other Oduduwa children, especially the
Alaafin, the descendant of Oranmiyan Akinorun, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, the
Oba of Benin, the Onipopo of Popo, the Onisabe of Sabe, and the Owa
Obokun Adimula.“The news would also be broken to other towns and vassal towns. Days
of mourning will be declared. The attention of the towns and villages
will focus on Ile-Ife, the Orirun, where their kings obtained their
legitimate crowns.“In ancient times, a celebration will be proclaimed,
with its characteristic visitation to the cradle by monarchs,
accompanied by their chiefs and families. The palace chiefs will play
dominant roles during the burial ceremony.After the new Ooni is crowned, Yoruba monarchs will accord him
automatic recognition and respect. He may visit selected palaces of his
brother obas in the spirit of brotherhood. As a prince, the history of
the race must be on his lip. He is expected to be factual. In the days
of yore, the Ooni was the custodian of knowledge.”