…. Goes into seclusion for 21 days
….. to receive powers from Oduduwa from an old woman
…. Businesses shut down for his arrival
The new Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi will today appear in public for the first time.
Prince Ogunwusi was on Monday named the 51st Ooni of Ife by Osun State government to succeed Oba Okunade Sijuwade who on July 28, 2015 joined his ancestors in a London hospital.
Ahead of his historic home coming, the two local governments in the ancient town – Ife East and Ife Central – yesterday ordered the closure of all major markets in his honour.
The councils also ordered that vehicles should not be parked on the roads leading to the Ooni’s Palace. Those abandoned should be removed before the Ooni’s arrival.
On arrival, the Ooni will go to the Giesi Ruling House to be installed as the Sooko because tradition demands that he must first be the Sooko of his family before he mounts the stool.
After his installation as Sooko, the Ooni will head to the Obalufe Palace to perform some rites at the Orunto River inside the palace. From there, he will move to a forest on Ilesa road for another round of rituals.
A source said: “The Ooni will also go into seclusion in Ilofi for a minimum of 21 days for series of rites and initiations. Though the rites could last 30 days in some circumstances but 21 days may be sufficient. And finally, he would meet an old woman in spirit to receive the power left by Oduduwa. The old woman will give him all the power over the Yoruba race. Then after all these, he will be installed as the Ooni.”
Oba Olajide Ifaloba, the Obadio of Ife and Head of Isoro cult, to which the Ooni must belong, has confirmed that he will arrive in Ife today.
Speaking with reporters in Ife last night, he said the arrangements had been concluded to receive Ogunwusi.
According to him, the Ooni will be received at Ife end of Ife/ Ibadan expressway and will subsequently begin installation rites as demanded by tradition.
Ifaloba said tradition demands that Ooni must enter Ile Ife in the day time after his name had been announced
It was also learnt yesterday that some rites to herald Ooni’s entry into Ife have been concluded which will be conducted by the Lowa Eredumi of Ile Ife, Oba Eluyele Olawenu, according to tradition.