The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams has tackled Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, over signing into law, the bill aimed at curbing fetish practices in the process of installing and burying traditional rulers in the state.
Penpushing reports that, Adams in a statement frowned at the Governor’s action, declaring it as an aberration to the Yoruba culture and tradition, stressing that rites are the major bases for dignity, cohesion and orderliness in every race all over the world.
‘The recent bill titled ‘Obas, Chiefs, Council of Obas and Traditional Council law of Ogun State, Bill 2021, signed into law by to the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun on Monday, was an aberration to the Yoruba culture and tradition”, he emphasised
“There is no ambiguity in the way we install or bury our traditional rulers in Yoruba land.Rites are the major bases for dignity, cohesion and orderliness in every race all over the world.It will be a bad reference in the history of Yoruba land. If this is not corrected, it wills a bad precedent. It has never happened in our history because rites is the symbol of our culture and tradition in Yoruba land”, Adams added
Penpushing further reports that, he appealed to Yoruba Obas to restore the dignity of the Yoruba race, insisting that the observation of traditional rites before installation and burial of royal fathers in Yorubaland are part of the sacred rites that earned them true respect.
The Yoruba generalissimo also expressed worry at the desecration of the Yoruba traditional rites, describing such as monumental disaster, expressing worry at the pace at which the core Yoruba tradition was going into extinction.
Penpushing also reports that, Adams pointed out that the installation and burial rites of Yoruba monarchs remain the most important aspect of the Yoruba traditional institution, stressing that, the monarchs are custodian of culture.
“Our traditional rulers are the custodian of Yoruba culture. The rites are also part of our treasured tradition. Once you remove the rites from the Yoruba traditional institution, the whole essence of the tradition is lost and the institution is empty”, he stated
‘The Yoruba traditional rites give the Obas the reverence. It is dept of our core values, including the myths that enabled the monarchs to be respected as deities in their towns and communities”, Adams added
‘Apart from the myths, the spirituality of the process is beyond what anybody can desecrate because the image of Yoruba Obas looms larger as the god and second in command to the creator of heaven and earth’, he explained.
‘For instance, the Yoruba traditional institution boasts of having over 2000 monarchs across Yorubaland and as such remains the only institution that endures with time. Even there are records that the relegation of the global Empire affected Europe and the entire continent loses the respect that comes with the monarchical system of rulership”, he stated
‘The traditional rite for installing or burying a Yoruba monarch is beyond the family of the monarch, it is purely a community’s affairs. Therefore, I am appealing to all our royal fathers to stay away from actions that tend to destroy Yoruba culture and traditions”
Penpushing further reports that, Adams cited the positive attributes of embracing the Yoruba tradition in ancient town of Ife where Ooni is called Oonirisa, in Oyo, Alaafin is called Akin Oosaa, Benin monarch is always in seclusion for six weeks before installation as monarch and Okpolopo.
‘So also Itsekiri, nobody ascends to the throne without going into seclusion. Even in Owo, the monarch had his hair weaved, in Ondo state,Obas in the towns are like small god. I also went for seclusion before my installation as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland’, he said.
‘Ife has had more than 50 monarchs in history, so also Oyo, and Benin, so the ability to sustain the Yoruba traditional rites is collective responsibility. We have our culture in greetings, in the clothes we wear and in the way we project our culture. As the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, I am bonded by my responsibility to raise issues against any attempt to kill our culture and tradition’.
“We can hardly get it right if we ignore the tradition and the attendant rites. Many of the problems we face today can be attributed to the neglect of our tradition. Yoruba culture remains the best , because it is the rallying point’.
‘As good as religion is to the well being of the people our culture is also beneficial to us as a people point .It is not about religion, but about the tradition because, there is a huge difference between culture and traditions’.
‘It is unfortunate when you see those whose jobs are to preserve the Yoruba culture and tradition commit sacrilege by going against the Yoruba tradition. Therefore, I am appealing to all our leaders to restore the respect and the dignity of the Yoruba traditional institution”.
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