After five heads and one alive ready to be buried alone with the Monarch Ooni of Ife. The Traditional rites to honour Oba Okunade Sijuwade a king of the
Yoruba has begun.
Nigeria’s second biggest ethnic group's burial rite in honour of Ooni of Ife, is being held in the
city of Ife. However, Dignitaries, including Nigeria’s Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, paid their respects before the private burial. But, many Nigerians are asking, why would Ooni be given a private burial if human heads are not part of it.
The 85 years old sovereign was crowned in 1980 and was widely respected. He died in London in July but his death was only announced on Wednesday after human heads have been acquired for the burial. He was considered the most influential monarch by most Yorubas, who number about 35 million in the region. Nigeria’s many monarchs vary in hierarchy and importance and some
like the Ooni of Ife and the northern emirs rule over large areas, while
others are traditional rulers of a village or town. Abubakar Madagali, the leader of the Hausa ethnic group in Ife, told
the BBC Hausa service that both Christian and Muslim leaders offered
special prayers for the late king before he was buried. Therefore, many Nigerians are calling on government to review this type of tradition. please share and follow!