According to traditional worshippers affiliated with the Isese Worshippers of Ogun State, it was disrespectful to the Yoruba cultural legacy to exclude Isese ceremonies from the burial of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona. According to furucinovel, the king passed away on Sunday at the age of 91.
Advertisements
Following a 65-year reign, Oba Adetona—installed as king on April 2, 1960—passed died, becoming the longest-serving monarch in Nigeria’s traditional institution. His burial took place on Monday at his home in Ijebu Ode.
According to furucinovel, there was a small incident just before the religious ceremonies began when the monarch’s private palace was used to forcibly prevent traditionalists from carrying out their burial customs.
Security personnel from the Nigerian Army allegedly prevented the numerous traditionalists from entering and instead led them to the entrance.
In a meeting presided over by Oba Dr. Ifarotimi Adifagbola Balogun, the Oba Isese of Ogun State, the traditional worshippers voiced their disapproval of the burial’s exclusive observance of Islamic rites, which they saw as a disregard for the traditional ceremonies traditionally associated with royal passages.
The occurrence was characterised by Oba Adifagbola as an example of the “tolerance and peaceful disposition” of traditionalists who, in an effort to foster interfaith cooperation, have let their offspring to marry outside of their faith.
His main point was that the chosen burial procedure was insensitive to Yoruba culture. He also cautioned against mistaking such reticence for weakness. We didn’t condone it because we were helpless, but because we care about the community.
However, our children need to understand the importance of their parents’ religious beliefs and how to actively engage in them. According to Oba Adifagbola, this is the way our traditions may be respected again.
High Chief Ifasola Opeolu, who is also Oluwo of Iperu, criticised the change, calling it “an aberration and a slap on the traditional institution.”
The Isese community decided to form a committee to discuss the burial of Obas with the Ogun State Government in order to stop what they called the “erosion of cultural identity” and make sure that what happened in Ijebu Ode didn’t happen again.