Ooni's Death: Fraternity Enters Shrine, Begins Necessary Rites

Following the alleged death of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, members of a fraternity reportedly entered into Oduduwa shrine and other sacred forests on Thursday, August 6, to perform further rites on his transition.

According to This Day report, a source in Ile-Ife disclosed that all the heads of the fraternity groups in the town which the monarch belonged to, had been asked to start invoking their gods and also perform necessary rites for the royal father.

The source added that at the shrines and forests of the deities, the traditionalists had been assigned specific duties in regards to the sacrifices that would be suitable for the transition of Sijuwade.

A source close to the palace, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said those who have been assigned specific duties are Osogun, Obalara, Lana and Emese. They are all said to be operating under “Isoro” deity, which is the father of all deities in the land.

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He also gave the name of the head of Isoro deity as Obadio, saying he is also in charge of dialect and languages of gods and goddesses of the land.

Isoro is the custodian of all other deities, while Obalara is said to be in charge of Obalufon shrine, while Emese, who is supposed to spread the news of the developments had been reportedly told to be at alert to perform its own duty as well according to the tradition of the town.

At the weekend, traditionalists in Ile-Ife had declared a seven-day sacred traditional Oro festival, believed to be in connection with the rumoured death of the monarch. However, his chiefs have continued to dismiss the death of the Ooni, describing it as mere rumour.

According to report, the palace is yet to officially announce the death of the monarch because Isoro cult members, who are carrying out necessary rituals on the late monarch, are yet to give their nod that the death is made public.