Residents in self-imposed curfew
Priests relocate to shrines
Body may arrive at night
Following the uncertainty surrounding the death of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, residents of Ile-Ife, Osun State have declared a selfimposed curfew. This is just as adherents of traditional religion began a festival known as Oro on Friday night.
Residents of the town told our correspondent that they had been living in fear over rumours that seven human heads were being sought for the burial of the revered monarch.
They said they had declared a compulsory curfew for themselves while the aged ones had warned younger residents not to keep late nights till further notice.
The residents noted that since the commencement of the festival, they had been more cautious in their movements as they were not sure whether the ageold practice of burying a departed monarch with human heads would still be observed.
They claimed that in the olden days, human sacrifice was observed when an Ooni departs. One of them, who declined to be named, said that when Oba Sijuade ascended the throne, he declared that instead of human beings, rams should be used.
“It is not that we live in cowardice but in caution because nobody is sure whether the rituals would be implemented by the traditionalists,” he stated.
However, pre-ritual sacrifices are said to have been commenced by priests, herbalists and other adherents of traditional religion who have relocated to their shrines and grooves.
Sacrificial items such as pigeons, kolanuts, alligator pepper, palm-oil, rams and others would be used to appease the gods of the land to enthrone a worthy successor.
Informed sources revealed that the priests were clad in white traditional attires and armed with staffs, horsetails, traditional beads and other sacrificial tools that would ease the performance of the rituals.
Sunday Telegraph gathered further that immediately the monarch’s death is announced officially, there will be an open performance of the rituals by day and night.
Obalara, who is said to be powerful deity consultant, is in-charge of Obalufon shrine while Obadio is said to be in-charge of Isoro.
It was learnt that Ogun and Obatala’s shines would be visited during the sacrifices while Oduduwa groove and other deities instrumental to the founding of the town would be respected before the burial of the monarch.
This will be done for 15 days until the new monarch is crowned. “Meanwhile, before real cleansing of the palace will be done, the entrance gate of the palace will be firmly closed to deny people access. Also, its environment will be completely deserted as people living around the palace or having shops there will vacate them,” sources added.
An aged man who spoke with our reporter pointed out that an ancient door which has been closed since the enthronement of Oba Sijuade will be opened after the new king is crowned.
He revealed also that the monarch did not even want to embark on his last trip to London.
The source said the monarch had asked his driver and aides to turn back while on the way but later proceeded on the journey after his aides told him that there would not be problem.
Meanwhile, the battle for succession is said to have intensified as contestants from ruling houses woo kingmakers.
Our correspondent also learnt that the body of the monarch would be brought into the town at night, in line with tradition.
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