Going by the time –honoured tradition of the Yorubas and palace culture,the former Minister for Information, Chief Alex Akinyele says the only option left for the deposed Deji of Akure, Oba Oluwadare Adepoju Adesina is to commit royal suicide . According to him, a Yoruba oba must not be disgraced.

In an interview with Sunday Sun in Lagos, he said that the Deji should have just opened a calabash in his palace and die quietly: “The calabash contains a parrot egg. When he opens and looks at it, he will die. That’s royal suicide. It’s better than the show of shame and disgrace he is facing now”, chief Akinyele said.
He went on and outlined the things a Yoruba Oba must not do:

Next to God
In Yorubaland, the oba is above everyone else. He is revered – everybody respects him. From his traditional cognomen, you will know how he is regarded. We say ka-bi-yesi. It means nobody can question you. Whatever you do, you do it with impunity.

The oba in Yorubaland is also called ‘orisa keji’, meaning second in command to the supreme deity. When you say God, the second person is the Oba. You can see how highly placed he is.
We go on to say Iku baba yeye- the person who can pronounce death on his father and mother. That’s how the Yoruba’s esteem their kings. Being in that super- mundane situation, so much are expected of the oba.

Must not eat out
In the first place, an oba must not eat in public. For instance, in Ondo we
Say, ‘Eruo oji mama’, the mouth that pronounces death and honour, is not the type of mouth that will be seen by anybody. That’s why their crown covers their mouth.

Must not offend his subjects
An Oba must not engage in an activity that will make people around him to raise eyebrows. You can’t abuse an Oba. The only way you can accept what the Kabiyesi has done is ‘mmh’. It may mean approval or disapproval. You must not show that the Kabiyesi- the man who cannot be queried that you resent what he has done. But an oba must not offend his subjects. The reason is that he is basically above them. He must therefore not go out of his way to annoy or offend them.

Must not commit adultery
An Oba must not commit adultery. The reason behind this is that there’s nobody so bold to come close to the Oba’s wives. To reciprocate this, the Oba must not commit adultery .We keep Udeso (eunoch) in the palace. An Udeso is a castrated man. He is the only man who can see the Oba’s wives.

Must be groomed in the palace
An oba must not do things, which common men can do. Oba’s grow up in the palace. With this, an Oba must be groomed in the ways of the Yoruba tradition. And as the tradition goes, Obas must grow within the palace. Living in the palace, they will be groomed in the culture, tradition and ways of the palace. So when they become an oba, they know how to behave . In Yorubaland, unless you are an Omo n’oba, you cannot become an Oba. You must know these things from the beginning.

Must not expose his head
An Oba’s head must not be exposed. Even in the churches- Catholic, Methodist and so on, they grant them the indulgence of covering their head with a white cap. Their head must never be seen, they don’t have to wear their crown to church. They dare not leave their hair open.
When an oba cannot eat in public, expose his head, offend people or abuse them, how then can he engage himself in public brawl? It’s a sacrilege.

Royal suicide
But if the Deji of Akure were like other obas in the South- west- even Benin, there’s a calabash in the palace, once he opens the calabash, he will die automatically. An Oba is not supposed to see disgrace like the Deji of Akure. In our history, a lot of Obas have taken that way to exit and avoid disgrace.

You can’t take an Oba to court or sentence him to serve jail term, if you try it, before you say Jack Robinson, he will go into the palace, open the calabash and die. So, they prefer dying honourably. Nobody will querry them and they must not see disgrace. It’s more honourable to commit suicide and go.

And when an oba dies like that, he is buried with full traditional honours. There was a time an oba was sent to exile. Yes the case of Oba Olateru Olagbegi of Owo. He was more of a political oba. As a result, he clashed with his people- the opposition. The opposition sent him on exile. He knew it was temporary. He later came back to rule in Owo.

He died on the throne. By returning and dying on the throne legitimizes his royal descendant and lineage. But even if he had died in exile, his children might still become kings. For instance, the father of the current Alafin of Oyo died in exile here in Lagos. His son Lamidi Adeyemi is there now. By reference, Lamidi: Adeyemi is an epitome of what a Yoruba should be – in dressing, behaviour and so on. He’s an awesome kabiyesi. He will not do any that will make anyone to look down on him.

He inherited all these from his father. When Yoruba obas get involved in politics, they can experience any disgrace. I remember the Odemo of Isara. The government of Awolowo reduced his salary to 1 kobo per annum. He didn’t die. He knew it was temporary. That’s why our Obas are very careful about being politically active. They know that the government of the day will rubbish them. Wise Obas don’t go into politics. When they get involved in politics, people in the opposition can abuse them. But an Oba must not be abused by anybody.

Role of Oba’s wife
The role of Oba’s wife, the Yeye Oba is to coordinate the activities of women in the city. She is the only one who can quietly correct the kabiyesi. As his wife, all the domestic responsibilities expected of her, she will do them. She is the domestic head of the palace.

In Ondo, when an oba dies , his wives remain in the palace. So, there are so many women in the palace. The Olori , the wife of the kabiyesi is their head. She looks after them, makes sure they eat well, wear good clothes and so on. But these days- in some Yoruba setting, when an oba dies, and if the women are still young , they can leave the palace. When they go, they are no more the responsibility of the reigning monarch.

But if the Olori is angry and leaves the palace, the oba will send some chiefs to go and bring her back. There are high chiefs who will go and bring her back. Infact when they are going, they will go with the Oba’s horsetail. Once they give it to her and tell her the oba sent them to bring her back, she won’t dare refuse. The horsetail does not sleep outside. So, she or anyone so compelled must come and see the kabiyesi. This is the way, the Deji of Akure should have been able to reach his Olori Bolanle and not that shameful public display.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/newsonthehour/2010/june/13/newsbreak-13-06-2010-001.htm

Earth to the 21st century.

My ppl need to get with the program.

As much as I DESPISE this S.O.B, they need to spare him the suicide. That's going too far.

Let's leave his judgment to God, let him die on his own time.

i think this calabash thing is more of a myth.

nobody seems to be aware of any such incident besides the sango story.

and who's to say sango actually did commit suicide anyway. Just saying.


but the real thing is this Deji needs to turn to God and leave all this idol worshipping. The arm of flesh and idolatry will fail him.

Rehab will also do him some good, since it's been alleged he's a drug addict.

16-17 Unlucky the land whose king is a young pup,    And whose princes party all night.

   Lucky the land whose king is mature,    Where the princes behave themselves

   And don't drink themselves silly.

16Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child and thy princes feast in the morning!

   
17Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength and not for drunkenness!

   
Ecclesiastes 10:16-17

whao!that is grate.

I feel they should have given him other disciplines, like to apologise to his wife within a specified period or face this banishment, or to even compensate her in cash, or a temporary suspension.
I honestly feel the disgrace and punishment is just too much, considering that he is a traditional ruler
I am not in any way trying to say what he did was right.
This issue will go a long way in reducing the respect and loyalty state governors have for traditional rulers; I am very sure of this.

evil666:

I feel they should have given him other disciplines, like to apologise to his wife within a specified period or face this banishment, or to even compensate her in cash, or a temporary suspension.
I honestly feel the disgrace and punishment is just too much, considering that he is a traditional ruler
I am not in any way trying to say what he did was right.
This issue will go a long way in reducing the respect and loyalty state governors have for traditional rulers; I am very sure of this.

I think Nigerians are fed up with useless rulers.

They're trying to make an example out of him. Hoping that other Obas will learn from this.

Let him commit suicide.

Sometimes the old ways are the best ways.

He has disgraced his position and he should commit suicide. Nothing wrong with that. Many leaders throughout history who dishonored themselves and their nation have committed suicide.

tpiah:

Rehab will also do him some good, since it's been alleged he's a drug addict.

Really. Disgraceful.

EzeUche:

Let him commit suicide.

Sometimes the old ways are the best ways.

He has disgraced his position and he should commit suicide. Nothing wrong with that. Many leaders throughout history who dishonored themselves and their nation have committed suicide.

And you call yourself a Christian.

Why should we force a man to take his own life? It is not our right to take a life. . . . we have the humane rights to take power and priviledge from him. But the God that created him is the only one that has the power to remove him.

He has disgraced his position and he has been severely punished. . . . I think permanently exiling him from Ondo is good enough.

FL Gators:


And you call yourself a Christian.

Why should we force a man to take his own life? It is not our right to take a life. . . . we have the humane rights to take power and priviledge from him. But the God that created him is the only one that has the power to remove him.

He has disgraced his position and he has been severely punished. . . . I think permanently exiling him from Ondo is good enough.

Sometimes the old ways is the best ways. The white man gave us the Bible and we have forsaken our culture and traditions.

This man disgraced his authority and only deserves death. Why do people run away from their culture and traditions for the white man's customs?

Politicians need to be held to this standard as well.

EzeUche:

Sometimes the old ways is the best ways. The white man gave us the Bible and we have forsaken our culture and traditions.

This man disgraced his authority and only deserves death.

Politicians need to be held to this standard as well.

Some old ways are foolish.

You're suggesting taking a man's life. . . . or pressuring him to take his life which is the same as you holding the gun.

Since when does two wrongs make a right?

FL Gators:

Some old ways are foolish.

You're suggesting taking a man's life. . . . or pressuring him to take his life which is the same as you holding the gun.

Since when does two wrongs make a right?

The is not a foolish tradition. It helps rid a society of all the rubbish. I wish I was around in the past. I would have loved that time instead of the crime filled world we lived in.

He should have already taken his own life. If he was true Oba quality he would have done so. But maybe someone should pressure him to do so.

He already disgraced his people with his barbarous acts. The only solution would be his death.

If the man won't commit suicide, someone should take him to bar beach and "help".
This man has always been in the news for gutter behaviour. Its not the first time.

EzeUche:

The is not a foolish tradition. It helps rid a society of all the rubbish. I wish I was around in the past. I would have loved that time instead of the crime filled world we lived in.

He should have already taken his own life. If he was true Oba quality he would have done so. But maybe someone should pressure him to do so.

He already disgraced his people with his barbarous acts. The only solution would be his death.

Was it not the same old tradition that gave him the power and audacity to go and pour hot coal on his wife?

My friend, things are changing, gradually. Nigerian women are smartening up, no more physical abuse from you men.

FL Gators:

Was it not the same old tradition that gave him the power and audacity to go and pour hot coal on his wife?

My friend, things are changing, gradually. Nigerian women are smartening up, no more physical abuse from you men.

And I am happy for Nigerian women. I really am. I think if a nation is to advance, there is a need for more equality amongst men and women.

As you can see, in Igboland, many women hold powerful positions or control the power within states. An example is from my home state is that Orji Uzor Kalu's mother is the true power within my state.

Is it not the same Igboland where women are expected to hand over their husband's property to his brother after he dies?

Or were you not the same egoistical boy that made a sexist remark about how Igbo women cannot be a leader to your tribe?

Abeg, we're just starting

This reminds me of a Funmi Aragbaye song
_{"We have arrived, women have arrived (2x).
Oh yes, we have arrived, oh we have arrived.
Nigerian women, we have arrived".}

For where! The Deji no go commit suicide lai lai!  

He is too narcissistic to do that. Gone are the days when true Obas ascended the throne. All we have today are hustlers.

He'll quietly go into exile and wait until we forget, then he would sneak back into town like a coward he is. Nonsense.  

i hope our dead police go get sense too, like wen a politician will just beat them up or slap them
like,
http://www.tribune.com.ng/sat/index.php/news/1180-federal-legislator-beats-up-police-constable-.html

It was said that the legislator, who personally drove in a jeep, was irked that the police constable flagged him down on high speed and he parked his car and descended on the policeman.


He was said to have slapped, kicked and boxed the constable before other motorists intervened to save the law enforcement officer from further assault.


The politician, who raged and cursed the policeman as he left the scene, according to eyewitnesses, later entered his car and drove away while good Samaritans took the constable to a nearby clinic for medical attention.


Saturday Tribune learnt that the case was reported at one of the police stations in the town and the legislator was invited for questioning, but he did not show up

are nigerians getting more frustrated or has this always been the lifestyle.


far too much rage here and has the politician ever thought to beat up the armed policemen collecting bribes at checkpoints.

lol, I think they're not finding any money to loot. Thatz where the frustration lies.

tpiah:






are nigerians getting more frustrated or has this always been the lifestyle.


far too much rage here and has the politician ever thought to beat up the armed policemen collecting bribes at checkpoints.

Nigeria is case study of so many unimaginable things

not to mention it was a fistfist and the policeman couldnt defend himself?

dont they teach them (police recruits) self defence and martial arts or something?

no wonder nigerian criminals are having a field day.

i tire for naija.

even on tv i watch scenes where a short police officer can instantly subdue an unruly and burly criminal with a few well placed jabs and an elbow hold.

FL Gators:

Is it not the same Igboland where women are expected to hand over their husband's property to his brother after he dies?

Or were you not the same egoistical boy that made a sexist remark about how Igbo women cannot be a leader to your tribe?

Abeg, we're just starting

This reminds me of a Funmi Aragbaye song
_{"We have arrived, women have arrived (2x).
Oh yes, we have arrived, oh we have arrived.
Nigerian women, we have arrived".}

No, it is to the first born son. They are the ones who decide what happens to their father's inheritance.

And I was just joking, an Igbo woman could lead my people as long as she was qualified to do so.

Rooolllllll eyezzzz

Better be a joke.

Its not going to happen in this era.

Shame on Alex Akinyele for making such a Barbaric statement and by the way who is Alex that we should be listening to him ? Any way !

[size=14pt]The fact is this gentleman does not want to be an Oba, I read somewhere he was chosen by the deity, well the deity chose wrongly this time, if u don't lobby for something how can you chrish and uphold the institution, the importance of the do's and dont's of Obaship is of no value to this gentleman.

Clearly this gentleman appears to be the type that enjoys going to a beer parlour have a few and engaged in a brawl afterwards. He is free to live his life like a bird from now henceforth, he can have all the brawls in the world, but must always make sure he is not at the receiving end of such encounters, the last thing I would want for him is he losing his left eye like that unfortunate guy from Oshun state.[/size]

This tradition isn't barbaric at all. What if his subjects think it's okay to hit women which is an abomination in Yoruba land? Even if he commits suicide, he didn't die with honour. He has betrayed the great deity which is the element that brings life. The one that command the sea (Iyemoja). Never hit a woman instead avoid the fight if they hold you, push them away and run away from the fight.

Why is everyone feeling sorry for him because of his position? Why didn't he remember who he was before he behaved like a common tout.

Is it possible for someone else to open that calabash for him. . . I'll be more than happy to take up that task.

I do not know why some people are of the opinion that the tradition is barbaric.

the guy is a first class OBA for crying out loud. he has brought shame, disrespect on himself, his family, the deji stool and the entire ondo kingdom.

being a first class Oba means he is almost at par with the likes of the Oba of Lagos, Aalafin of Oyo, Ooni of Ife, Awujale of Ijebu, etc.
Now just imagine any of the above listed Obas doing the same thing. . . . . fighting with your wife in public. . . . it is simply unheard of!

being an Oba means he  has chosen the path of culture and tradition and he should abide by what tradition dictates.
do you know how many fetish things (customary rites) the guy would have done before he was installed as an oba?

i share the same sentiments with Chief Akinyele. He should do the 'honourable' thing and open the calabash jare 

He doesn't have the samurai spirit to go that way,he is a cowardly and miscreant peasant in the position of a king.

if the deji is a yorubaman, he shld know the culture and tradition and accepting that position means accepting the terms and conditions hence i advise him to commit suicide without fear or favour.
far back in my secondary school days when we learn govt, we were mearnt to understand that suicide is the only option in such situations and i mentioned that here in another topic.
pls deji must learn to die for what he believed in.

Honor does not exist among nigerian leaders,that is why they are sickly corrupt,including akinyele himself.