THE IJESAS will again have the opportunity to witness the traditional cleansing of the Palace of Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland by the family of ” Lowabisi of Iro Priests ” from Erin Ijesa.
It’s important for the purpose of clarifications to inform the public that ” Etutu ” is the process of Atonement and Offerings for blessings, peace, and progress.
It involves appeasements to the deities, seeking for prosperity for Ijesaland and longevity on the throne by Owa Obokun Adimula.
Therefore, it’s pertinent to say that the custom of people coming to Ilesa to sweep the Palace began with Kabiyesi, Owa Obokun Adimula, Owaluse who was a direct son of Owa Obarabaralokunesin who resigned from Ibokun.
Though, a long story, but history recorded it that one Alaafin of Oyo, sometimes in the 16th century, sent his pretty but barren daughter called Yeyesaro and accompanied by her sister Yeyedere to take a sacrifice to Erin-Ijesa after due consultation with Ifa oracle.
Ifa directed that Yeyesaro should marry the first man whose two eyes first met with hers. On their way, they stopped at the Palace of Owa Obokun Adimula and narrated their plight to Owa who then accompanied them to Imo where he showed them the way to Erin. On getting to Erin Yeyesaro and her sister headed straight to perform the ritual at the foot of Aagba tree as directed; and a man called Onisunmbe appeared and challenged her.
The woman narrated her story and mission to him. Onisunmbe could not resist her beauty and royal look; and thereafter invited her and her sister to his house.
As fate will have it, Yeyesaro who hitherto was barren conceived and gave birth to a male child for Onisumbe.
Her sister Yeyedere then left for Ijebu-Jesa where she was married to the Ogboni of Ijebu-Jesa. She also conceived and gave birth to a male child. The elder sister became jealous and unhappy because Onisumbe was just a commoner in Erin Ijesa. So, she left Onisumbe to marry Owa of Ilesa, Obarabaralokunesin. She gave birth to Owaluse, a prince who later became the Owa Obokun Adimula of IJESALAND. Owaluse thus became a half-brother to the son of Onisunmbe of Erin-Ijesa. When Onisunmbe died, Owaluse was astonished by the supernatural performance of Iro priest who are also known as Lowabisi. They conducted the ceremony to the extent that people including Owaluse fell into a trance. Owaluse then asked that such incredible ceremony should be performed at his own funeral whenever he passed away. This deal was struck with his half-brother that Lowabisi should be invited to accord him the type of befitting burial ceremony he had watched at Erin-Ijesa. He also charged his people that followed him from Ilesa to ensure this was done, and they pledged on oath never to renege. It is also very significant to mention that Owaluse’s mother was a daughter of Alaafin hence the family bond between Alaafin and Owa Obokun Adimula aside their being direct sons of Oodua-Olofin-Aye. Owaluse was the second Owa Obokun Adimula to govern directly from Ilesa after that of Owa Okile.
Today, the people of Erin Ijesa, that’s the descendants of Lowabisi Iro Priest of the Erin town will be in Ilesa to reawake a tradition and custom that has refused to die.
Our own Owa Clement ADESUYI HAASTRUP will again observe another important and mandatory traditional rite to the throne of his Fathers.
The strong bonds between the people of Erin Ijesa and Ilesa is to be reenacted today with the cleaning of the Palace of Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland .
It’s not an ” Oro ” kind of things, no restrictions except that men must keep their heads open without head wears or fila. The people of Erin Ijesa are not thieves, they are not coming to steal anyone’s goods or properties, but as part of their rewards for coming all the way from Erin to cleanse the Palace, they are permitted by traditions and customs to take anything they see within the Palace and on their way back home from the Palace. It’s Erin Ijesa day today, we are one indivisible nation of great men and women. We are the first OMOLUABIS with a quintessential Culture and Tradition.
Piece by Akinyele Akinola (Anfaani)
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