Incredible! Yorubas in search of human sacrifice for final burial rites of Ooni of Ife: Aboba ku (Buarial Slave) on the run

Incredible! Yorubas in search of human sacrifice for final burial rites of Ooni of Ife: ‘Aboba ku (Buarial Slave) on the run

After several denials by the Oba’s palace on the reported death of the Ooni of Ife, officials of the palace finally admitted  that Oba Okunade Sijuwade is dead. 

It has however emerged that the initial denial of the death of the Ooni was ruse to allow the Ife community obtain necessary human sacrifice for the burial as stipulated by the barbaric Yoruba custom.

As soon as the death of a Yoruba oba is announced, palpable fear usually grips people around because they believe  lives will have to be sacrificed with the Oba’s death. The reason for delaying the announcement of the Ooni’s death was not to jolt people into taking cover since "heads were needed to bury the monarch."

Yoruba tradition posit that a monarch cannot embark on the journey to the great beyond unaccompanied. The Daily Times reported on Monday the fears of the residents that an important ingredient for the burial rites was missing, a phrase they interpreted to mean the Aboba ku (one who dies with a monarch). During the lifetime of the monarch, a person is named for the role and is said to enjoy immense benefits with the monarch.

‘At the demise of the traditional ruler, the Abo ba ku meekly surrenders to death.’

The proclamation of the demise of Ooni will be made public during the Oro festival, being the final rites on the demise of Ooni of Ife.

Officials of the palace appealed to residents to heed the restriction order from the palace.

"The residents of the ancient town are therefore urged to keep away from the streets between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4p.m. during which the Oro deity will be out.

“With the announcement, people are advised to stay indoors for the period when the Oro will be out,” Adereti said.

Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade died in London

This development has thrown up questions about the activities that will take place during the rites period.

Whilst in the past only females were barred from movements during the Oro acts, and timing was restricted to the dark periods of the nights, men are equally barred and the timing will span 9 am – 4 pm, a period when businesses, students, market women, travelers and the likes are expected to be active.

It is appalling that such barbaric customs are still operational in Nigeria. Ironically Yoruba produce the highest concentration of Pentecostal preachers, who go around the world preaching prosperity. They have not been heard speaking out against these barbaric customs of their people.