Many women in the ancient town
of Ile-Ife remained indoors on
Saturday as the annual Oro
festival entered its second day.
Although a palace source told the
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on
condition of anonymity that the
festival had nothing to do with the
rumoured death of the Ooni of
Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the
women believed otherwise.
The Nigerian media had been
agog with the news of the death
of the Ooni, but was vehemently
denied by the traditional council
of the ancient town.
The commencement of Oro
festival on Friday night, which is
to last seven days, further fueled
speculations and anxiety about
the monarch’s demise.
Oro is a deity worshipped across
Yoruba land, which forbids
women from going out at night
during the period of the festival.
Although women were only
forbidden to go out at night
during the traditional festival,
some women told NAN that it was
better to be on the safe side by
staying indoors during the period
than to be caught and probably
used as sacrifice.
Mrs Rebecca Olaide, a market
woman, said she would remain
indoors to avoid any unexpected
circumstance.
Olaide said she had asked her
eldest son to help her to manage
her business until the festival was
over.
Another woman, who spoke on
condition of anonymity, said she
had restricted her movement because of the
Oro festival.
She said the Oro festival might not be
unconnected with the reported demise of the
monarch.
Another lfe resident who simply identified
herself as Sade, said she had decided to
remain within her vicinity to avoid any
unexpected happening.
She said “although women were asked not to
go out only at night, I decided not go out
during the day too until the festival is over.’’
However, palace sources said the Oro was an
annual festival in the town to appease the
gods to ward off evil and usher in an era of
prosperity.
The source said people in Ile-Ife usually
celebrate Oro festival and other traditional
festivals like Olojo, Orunmila, Edi, Oranmiyan,
Esu, Obatala among others annually.
He said the celebration of Oro festival had
nothing to do with the controversial news
about the demise of the Ooni.
“The Oro festival does not have anything to do
with the reported death of the royal father.
“It is an annual festival in the town which
normally holds for seven days and it is taboo
for young and old females to go out during the
period.
“During this period, traditionalists will
perform necessary rituals that will make the
town more peaceful,’’ he said.
The source, who maintained that the monarch
was still alive, said the closure of markets for
businesses and ringing of special bell were the
two major significant signs to indicate an Ooni
had joined his ancestors.
Meanwhile, NAN learnt that the traditional
festival coincided with the funeral of the head
of hunters in the ancient town called Balogun
in the cradle of Yoruba race.

source : http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/187654-ile-ife-anxiety-mounts-women-remain-indoors-as-oro-festival-enters-second-day.html

Hmmmmnnnnnn