July 18, (THEWILL) — Traditional worshippers, under the auspices of the Isese Worshippers in Ogun State, have condemned the exclusion of traditional rites from the burial of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, as a show of disrespect to Yoruba cultural heritage.
THEWILL recalls that Oba Adetona was the longest-serving monarch in Nigeria’s traditional institution, and passed away after a 65-year reign at the age of 91.
He was buried at his residence in Ijebu Ode on Monday.
Before his burial, a drama occurred at the venue as traditionalists were stopped from performing customary burial rituals at the monarch’s private residence in Ijebu-Ode.
The traditionalists had arrived at the monarch’s private residence in large numbers, but were hindered by the operatives of the Nigerian Army, who ordered them back to the gate.
Reacting to the development, the traditional worshippers, in a meeting held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Oba Dr Ifarotimi Adifagbola Balogun, the Oba Isese of Ogun State, kicked against the manner his members were sent out of the burial venue.
He bemoaned how Islamic rites were exclusively observed at the monarch’s burial, while traditional ceremonies tied to the royal heritage were overlooked.
Oba Adifagbola described the incident as a demonstration of the “tolerance and peaceful disposition” of traditionalists who, in their bid to promote interfaith unity, have allowed their children to marry across religions.
He insisted that the Islamic burial of the late Ijebu king was disrespectful to Yoruba tradition, warning that such tolerance should not be mistaken for weakness.
He said, “We condoned the situation out of love for the society, not because we are powerless.
“But it is time our children learnt to take pride in and participate in the religious practices of their parents. This is how our traditions can regain their place of honour”, he noted
Earlier, the Oluwo of Iperu, High Chief Ifasola Opeolu, described the development as “an aberration and a slap on the traditional institution.”
The Isese community, however, opined that a committee had been set up to engage the Ogun State Government to demand a review of existing laws regarding the burial of Obas to prevent a recurrence of the incident in Ijebu Ode and to curb what they termed the “erosion of cultural identity.”
