[size=18pt]Alaafin tackles Ooni on Yoruba history[/size]

Posted by: Oseheye Okwuofu Posted date: December 17, 2012 In: News | comment : 0





Who is the custodian of Yoruba history?

The controversy resurfaced at the weekend with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, accusing the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, of distorting the facts.

The Alaafin broke his silence following a comment made by the Ooni during the centenary anniversary celebration of the Oranyan Festival.

Oba Sijuade had, during the memorial anniversary of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo at the MUSON Centre in Lagos, said the Alaafin had no connection with Oranyan and was not qualified to celebrate him (Oranyan).

Oranyan was one of the sons of Oduduwa.

The Ooni said the Alaafin was presiding over a dead empire.

Alaafin alleged that the Ooni described him as a rascal and not Oranyan, during the celebration, which attracted dignitaries from all walks of life within and outside the country.

He spoke at the weekend during the special birthday lecture organised in his honour by City People magazine, entitled: “Reviving the Old Oyo Customs and Tradition”.

The lecture was delivered by a Portuguese national, Ms Paula Gomes (the Alaafin’s Cultural Ambassador).

Oba Adeyemi said the Ooni had a tradition of distorting history out of ignorance of the details of his ancestral roots.

He said he decided not trade words with the Ooni after former President Olusegun Obasanjo summoned him; the Awujale of Ijebu, Oba Oyebade Lipede and the Ooni to a meeting where everyone agreed to a truce.

Justifying his reaction, the Alaafin said it was proper “to recall history, educate the Ooni and let the world know the truth” because Oba Sijuade continues to castigate him and his traditional activities.

Making reference to series of documentary evidence, the Alaafin insisted Oyo was superior to Ife.

He said: “From where did this Yoruba Language that we are speaking evolve? Which language was used in writing the Bible? It is Oyo language. Why not Ife language? Where else are they speaking Ife language apart from Lagere Quarters? Why are the Modakeke people, who are living behind Ife, not speaking Ife language?”

The Alaafin said Ooni could not answer the questions he posed to him in the past, including the ones at the parley brokered by Obasanjo, “instead, he came with books that could fill three baskets”.

He said: “In 2009, Ooni had undermined the institution of the Alaafin, but a year after when he was celebrating his birthday, he said Oranyan was his father’s ancestor.

“How could you have denigrated your ancestors and later claim that you are a son of the Alaafin. Anybody who does not know his ancestral roots, who did not strive to learn about it and does not learn from those who know will continue to make mistakes and flounder in ignorance. That is part of Ooni’s inadequacies.

“When we wanted to celebrate Sango, they said Sango was not Yoruba. Sango studied the Quran. He was the one that was first conferred with the title of ‘Akeugberu’. He was the first in the art of adjudicating justly. When he was born, the umbilical cord that joined him with his mother could not be severed. Because they pulled it and it would not cut, it became the name ‘Afonja’. The glory, success and tradition of Yoruba started from Oyo.”

He added that Oyo State, during the administration of the late Chief Bola Ige, came up with a gazette recognising the Oranyan as the head of the princes and princesses in Yorubaland, and that Oyo dominated all other nations, namely: Ife, Ijebu, Egba, Ijesa, Sabe, Owu and so on.

Alaafin said: “When Messrs Richard Lander and McPherson visited Oyo Ile in 1827, they concluded that what they saw in Oyo Ile in terms of historical structures and the rich cultural heritage was superior compared to what obtained in the old European world.”

He cautioned the Ooni against “further distortion of historical facts”, which he said his (Oba Sijuade’s) predecessor, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, did not do.

The Director of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Isaac Albert, said: “The university is proud to associate with the Alaafin, who turned 74 on October 15, “being our able and reputable patron, who epitomises the rich African cultural heritage and is an inspiration to all of us.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/news/alaafin-tackles-ooni-on-yoruba-history/

Alaafin is seriously a king over a flawed history - the Oyo of oranyan is now in Kogi not Oyo state #fact

We can start with picstory, let's get it popping, biatch.

I wonder what is this "ife language" that Alaafin is talking about? Does anyone know?

Alaafin without doubt is the head of the yoruba people, ooni is simply the keeper of the shrine

torkaka: Alaafin without doubt is the head of the yoruba people, ooni is simply the keeper of the shrine

which shrine?
Oyo is superior to ife...
....seriously I am now thinking this lamidi needs to go for a mental check up.

saxywale:
which shrine?
Oyo is superior to ife...
....seriously I am now thinking this lamidi needs to go for a mental check up.

Go and read your history, the Alaafin is far superior to the Ooni, who did the British sign treaties with when they came to yorubaland and who was called the Kings of Yorubas.

saxywale:
which shrine?
Oyo is superior to ife...
....seriously I am now thinking this lamidi needs to go for a mental check up.

I have noticed you like spewing nonsense about Alaafin, just stop distorting history like the useless Ooni(whatever that means) if not for the UPN who made him relevant
[size=13pt]
Ile Ife > Oyo Ile

Alaafin >>>>>>>>>> Ooni[/size]

truth4meal: Alaafin is seriously a king over a flawed history - the Oyo of oranyan is now in Kogi not Oyo state #fact

If you're talking about Oyo-Mesi, its in present day Niger state not Kogi.

People often mistake the superiority of Ile Ife to mean the superiority of Ooni of Ife.

Ile Ife is greater than Oyo but that's about it. Alaafin is far more important than Ooni.

Every Nigeria Know that Alaafin is greater and Superior that Oni of Ife. This present Oni of Ife is just one Hungry man, he sold MKO Abiola for 50million naira to Hausa/Fulani

we have discussed this topic numerous times in nl..

guys, please, get a good grip on the history of the fatherland. a lot of you can trace the ancestry of the tzar of Russia back to 1600 or the roots of the British monarchy back to its German founding but cannot distinguish that the Ooni and Alaafin have different roles and titles and cannot therefore be in competition. Their involvement in politics is driving their competition and jostling for influential power.

Ooni has a spiritual role and he has no business in political matters. Alaafin has political role but while his position gives him access to political power, it does not grant him birth right to sit over the entire Yoruba race....only the Ooni sits atop as the King of the whole race.

political democracy has turned state governors to gods. All the homage and tributes that used to go to Alaafin and Ooni, are now directed at Government house and governor office. To lobby for access and power on the land, people who understand the distinction know well to go to Alaafin instead of Ooni. That people patronize Alaafin does not make him superior to Ooni at all.

@Ilaje
Why is it that Other Yoruba relegated and look down on Ilajes?

hercules07:

Go and read your history, the Alaafin is far superior to the Ooni, who did the British sign treaties with when they came to yorubaland and who was called the Kings of Yorubas.

which treaty are you talking about, many treaties were signed. Soon you would argue that the Alaafin is far more superior than oduduwa. Oranmiyan(born and died at ife) that Oyo people worship as their god was an ife prince as well as the fourth King to reign at ife. Soon Alaafin would be here to say Oranmiyan was greater than Oduduwa himself. Seriously, lamidi needs to have his brain examined. How come all other ancient Yoruba towns are not tracing their kingship to Oyo. The same Oyo the owu, egba e.t.c flogged in wars....Sijuwade is right, Lamidi is ruling over a dead kingdom.

peckhamboi:

I have noticed you like spewing nonsense about Alaafin, just stop distorting history like the useless Ooni(whatever that means) if not for the UPN who made him relevant
[size=13pt]
Ile Ife > Oyo Ile

Alaafin >>>>>>>>>> Ooni[/size]

Katsumoto I know, but who are you?

0lumide: People often mistake the superiority of Ile Ife to mean the superiority of Ooni of Ife.

Ile Ife is greater than Oyo but that's about it. Alaafin is far more important than Ooni.

Would you be kind enough to let us know why you believe Alaafin is more important....Thanks