Ijesaland, with its rich tapestry of cultures and histories, is home to a myriad of unique and fascinating traditions. While many traditions connect people through shared experiences, others stand out for their quirky and eccentric practices.
In the past few days, the Imperial Majesty and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Oba Clement ADESUYI HAASTRUP, Ajimoko 111, has been visiting the ancestral homes of Owa Obokun Adimula. His visits to each of these historical homes offers a delightful glimpse into the traditions that make Ijesaland a unique community of extraordinary and captivating homogeneity. Further more, his tour of ancient towns and villages across Ijesaland reinforces a renewed sense of connection to the past as well as linking Owa Obokun Adimula and his great people together in the most unique traditional and Cultural ethics and shared sense of belonging.
It’s been hectic though, but truly exciting. He was at IGBADAE and precisely at the Ile Ajibogun Orunaja Aganniyeye Ekun. There he observes all the prescribed traditional rites for his ascension to the Throne of his fathers. It’s important to mention it that, from the very moment he stepped out of the ancient town, the Ijesa tradition forbids him from visiting IGBADAE forever. ” O di eewo fun Owa lati wa si ilu IGBADAE mo lati oni yi lo”, that was the emphatic order by the Alales.
At Igbo’Kin or Igbo Ikin where he performed his last ‘Itule’ and offered sacrifices to Yeye Osun, it’s also forbidden for him to ever visit the village again in life. And, more importantly, “Owa Obokun Adimula o tun ba won tu ile mo laelae”.
From Igbo’Kin to Ipole was another exciting experience. Tradition bestowed the duties of going to the ancient abode of OWARI as early as 5 am and in the evening by 4 pm till 7 pm, the duty of offering a sacrifice to Ogun, the God of iron. So, despite all the tasking experiences of going to Igbo’Kin, Owa Obokun Adimula and his entourage had to stop over at Ipole for the Ogun Sacrifice. “Okun ni Olori omi,Ogongo ni Oba Eye,OWA Ajaka, Obokun Adimula ni Olori Oba Alade”.
Essentially, the sacrifice was offered to clear the pathways for Owa, to protect the good people of Ijesaland in all ramifications. The drum beats and sounds were different….”J’agun J’agun lo n bo,J’agun J’agun lo n bo,Olori Ogun, ko gb’odo keyin Ogun,J’agun J’agun lo n bo”.
As early as 3 am, Owa Obokun Adimula was set for Ipole. He left for Ipole at the exactly 4 am on Monday. By 5 am, he was at the front of OWARI ancient house waiting for Ogboni Ipole. Every art of the culture and tradition to be offered was scheduled to start and end before one can see the Palm lines. Today, the real journey to the throne begins at Ibokun. Though, as part of what has to be done before the commencement of the ascension processes, Oba Clement ADESUYI HAASTRUP will stop at ILOWA to conclude his visit to the ancient abodes of his ancestors.
Curfew has been declared to commence from 2 pm till Wednesday morning. All the mandatory traditional rites will be observed throughout the night till 4 am on Wednesday when he will depart for Lemodu House in Ilesa.Contrary to the rumours and outright falsehoods by some uninformed people, Oba Clement ADESUYI HAASTRUP is fully determined to preserve the rich and unique history and traditions of Ijesaland. Even where it becomes necessary to modernize any part of the existing traditional procedures or protocols, he will do so without diminishing its credibility and ethics. And, that’s why all the steps taken so far were in conformity with prescribed tradition and culture, and Ifa was duly consulted in strict sacredness by designated Ifa Priests before he was chosen. According to OBALORO, LEMODU, PETELUA, ALESHI and other Ifa Priests, Ifa was duly consulted in the same ways it’s done in the ages and not in the caricature ways as being suggested by some misinformed people.
Even during the visits so far , the voices and actions of the gods through Ifa were favourably affirmative….”eji-ogbe and okanran”. Humility is created in “Okanran”, so are new positive directions and new prosperous opportunities. Ejiogbe have omnipresence sphere of influence as spiritual and physical Problems solver. The importance of materials or ingredients for all the sacrifices such as Ram, Kolanut, Water, Snails, Ataare, Adiye fun fun, Aso fun fun etc cannot be overemphasized. . In the sacrifices, the consecrated life of each offering is liberated as a sacred potency that establishes a bond between the gods, Owa Obokun and the people of Ijesaland, most especially. And, essential spiritual expectations and physical rewards are peaceful reigns, good health, prosperity, protection, long life and unity of purpose.
As he begins the traditional processes to the Throne today, our fervent prayers for the king and Ijesaland, for Osun State and Nigeria is for his longevity on the Throne, for the his happiness and for the prosperity in the land.
May God Bless The King.
Akinyele Akintola anfaani63@gmail.com Ilesa.
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