Great things hapened in Ile-ife as Ife deities pass Oduduwa crown to new Ooni Ogunwusi

 Left Left Oba Bankole Ojutalayo, Prof. Adeyemi Aderibigbe annd Alhaji Ade Akanni at the venue of the presentation of the AARE Crown to Ooni of Ife. Px Dare Fasube , Prof. Adeyemi Aderibigbe annd Alhaji Ade Akanni at the venue of the presentation of the AARE Crown to Ooni of Ife. Px Dare Fasube 

As he observes spot-to-spot rituals across Ife

By Gbenga Olarinoye

OSOGBO—The 201 deities spread around the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, yesterday crowned the 51st Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, at Oke Ora, the spot where Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race, first wore the crown.

shows Ooni of Ife Oba Enitan Ogunwusi after receiving the AARE Crown from the Olojudo of Ido land on Monday PHOTOS BY Dare Fasube

Ooni of Ife Oba Enitan Ogunwusi after receiving the AARE Crown from the Olojudo of Ido land on Monday PHOTOS BY Dare Fasub

The event at Oke Ora, a community located between Ife and Osu town, took place around 1pm at Olokuta Hills, when the crown was invoked by Olojudo of Oke Ora, simply identified as Oba Sikiru.

Left Oba Bankole Ojutalayo, Prof. Adeyemi Aderibigbe annd Alhaji Ade Akanni at the venue of the presentation of the AARE Crown to Ooni of Ife. Px Dare Fasube

According to some traditionalists who accompanied the monarch, Oba Ogunwusi could not wear the crown because it is worn only once in a year during Olojo festival which is just a few days away.

They added that the “Are Crown”, which is also called Ade Oduduwa, left Ife town on the demise of Oba Okunade Sijuade.

As early as 5 am, the monarch began the rites that would last all day by wearing Seseefun crown, otherwise called Ade Obatala, and began a spot-to- spot observance of rituals across Ife town.

The monarch, who was dressed in white lace material, was accompanied by members of Isoro cult, some Ife traditional high chiefs, and many indigenes of the town.

At Walode compound, Oba Ogunwusi entered an old building and was received by some women where he spent a few minutes before he departed.

When he emerged from the building, a ram was slaughtered and the blood of the animal was sprinkled on the floor.

Also at a junction around Ilode area, series of sacrifices were carried out and the traditionalists told drummers to announce the emergence of the monarch.

Activities in the ancient town were for several hours paralysed as most people particularly women stayed in doors while the various rituals were  performed.