Idol Worshipping: Relearn Yoruba History, Stop Being An Hypocrite – ICIR To Oluwo
The International Council For Ifa Religion (ICIR) has told the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrashed Akanbi, to relearn the Yoruba history to avail himself and his chiefs of the real story behind the evolvement of the culture, tradition, and religion of the Yoruba people.
ICIR made the request in response to a statement credited to the palace of Oluwo, saying idol worshipping is not in Yoruba culture.
In a statement signed by its President, to Dr Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode, the body said it is unfortunate that Oba Abdulrashed, who is supposed to be a custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition has turned into a foot soldier of foreign culture while denigrating and demonising his Yoruba tradition.
The statement reads: “We advise Oluwo’s chief to do away with fabrications aimed at rewriting Yoruba History to favour their agenda. They should open their minds to the true history of the tradition of the Yoruba.
“It is unfortunate that people who are supposed to be custodians of the culture and tradition of a race are becoming soldiers of another race at the expense of their race. It is like Oluwo is propagating Arabian culture and demonizing Yoruba tradition and religion.
“Nobody can separate Òrìṣà worship from Yorùbá culture and tradition and vice versa because they are products of each other.
“It is our tradition to reach Olodumare through the Òrìṣà. We worship Orisa and the Orisa are not idols. It is worshipping Olodumare through a foreign deity that is idol worshipping.
“It is hypocrisy when somebody practices a foreign religion together with the other aspects of the culture of the foreign race including language and mode of dressing and the same person is trying to separate religion of his race from other aspects of the race’s culture.
“There is freedom of religion. However, it is like the current Oluwo and his emissaries are not aware of the fact that they are trampling on the religious freedom of the traditionalists.”
The body advised the traditional ruler to face whatever religion he chose to practice and stop talking negatively about traditional religion, especially as there is freedom of religion in Nigerian constitution.
