Any Monarch That Abandons Culture, Tradition Has Gone Astray – Elebuibon

Idris Idowu

FOREMOST traditionalist and Araba of Osogbo, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon has taken swipe at the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Olawale Akanbi, over his stance on some Yoruba culture and tradition as regards the traditional institution. 

Oluwo is known for his constant campaign against some aspect of Yoruba culture and tradition, especially those that relate to rites for a monarch and others he had described as idol worshiping. 

Oba Akanbi’s recent statement that Ifa has no role to play in the selection of the new Alaafin of Oyo and Soun of Ogbomoso, has sparked reactions from prominent Yorubas. 

Reacting to the statement, Elebuibon said Ifa remains the consultant for kingmakers in the process of selecting a king in line with the Yoruba culture and tradition. 

According to the Ifa priest, any monarch who wants to discontinue the culture and traditions of his ancestors has gone astray. 

Elebuibon, in an interview with an online TV, Etioba, explained that consulting Ifa before a king is selected or crowned plays a prominent role in making right choice for peaceful reign and development of the town. 

He said: “When it comes to enthroning kings in Yoruba land, there are culture and norms that guide it. It is civilization that distorted the traditional processes. 

“What Oluwo said if for himself; maybe because Ifa was not consulted before he was appointed a king. 

“In Yoruba land, long before the government took over the process of appointing a king, every town has its own Kingmakers.

“When a king joins his ancestors, the Kingmakers will send words to the royal families. Then, princes from the royal families would jostle to fill the vacant stool, and whoever wins takes the throne. 

“However, before the winner among the princes can be appointed a king, the head of the King makers would have consult Ifa.

“We can’t just pick a king merely on appearance or wealth. We need to consult Ifa to ensure that the reign of a person to be appoint a king will be prosperous and bring fortunes to the town and the people. If a wrong person is appointed a king, his reign will be disastrous. That is why we consult Ifa.

“However, the government took over kingmaking and brought out gazette as a result of conflicts among ruling houses. But any government that goes against the culture and traditions of his people is not a good government.

“Any Governor that goes against the culture and traditions of his state is not a good Governor. 

“Before a Governor can give his approval for the appointment of a King, the Kingmakers and the people of the town would have come to an agreement on who to be appointed. It is who they appointed that the governor is going to approve.

“And before the head of the kingmakers can send any name to the governor for approval, they must have consulted Ifa, to know if he is truly destined to be king.

“So, if a king says he can’t continue with the culture and traditions of his ancestors, but with foreign culture and traditions, he has gone astray and he is a bastard.

“A king who refuses to honor culture, norms and traditions should be ashamed of himself.”