Don’t Accept Traditional Title If You Won’t Participate In Traditional Festivals – Osun Monarch

A traditional monarch in Osun State, Oba Meshach Oyewole Oyediran, the Olulamokun of Yakooyo has said every traditional ruler be it a Christian or Muslim is expected to perform their roles as an Oba in Yorubaland.

In an exclusive interview with journalists, the monarch said partaking in traditional festivals was a way to justify the appointment of a king.

According to the monarch, every town in Yorubaland has traditional means of establishing it therefore, all kings, regardless of religious affiliation have to respect the culture and tradition.

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Oba Oyediran insisted that all kings are selected through Ifa divination, noting that being a born-again Christian king is not a “barrier in joining and supporting whatever traditional festivals are being held in their towns”.

“There is nothing special about born-again Christians becoming traditional rulers. But, when you accept that you want to become an Oba, you should first pray to God and consider the type of traditional festivals that they are doing in the town. It is God who chooses the king. When you become an Oba in Yorubaland, you must perform all your functions to justify your appointment.

“We have some traditional festivals in Yakoyo. Our major traditional festival is Oro. We also have Egungun and Osun festivals. I am a Christian, but I can’t stop those involved from doing it. They have been doing their festivals even before I was born.

“Whenever they wanted to do the festivals, I used to tell them, that since I am a traditional ruler, I have to support them. They will come to the palace for prayers. I will pray for them and give them money. That is how I am handling the situation here.

“So, for those pastors, born-again Christians becoming royal fathers, they are expected to perform their roles as an Oba in Yorubaland. Every town has traditional means of establishing it, and they have to respect that as an Oba.

“I believe so much in God and all these people who are traditionalists also believe in God. Whenever these traditionalists are praying, they will say Orisa-oke. That means God. If these born-again monarchs won’t follow the traditionalists to their shrines, they should support them for the development of the town and for peace to reign. They should not abandon what they meet on the ground in their towns.

“Before anyone can become an Oba, he will have to go through Ifa, not through the church, not through the mosque. Ifa is a messenger of God. It is Ifa who will direct the kingmakers that this is the person who will be on that throne. When you are chosen, don’t forget that you come to the throne through Ifa. So, they should follow and support, whatever traditional festivals are being held in their towns.