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 denied that the festival had something to do with the reported death of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the women believed otherwise.

On Wednesday, Nigerian newspapers reported the death of the king. The news was vehemently denied by the traditional council of the ancient town.

The commencement of Oro festival on Friday night, which is to last for 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 source 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 a 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.

http://www.metronaija.com/2015/08/all-ile-ife-women-restricted-indoors.html

cc: lalasticlala ishilove

Good for them

Alright

Hurrr. What about doctors on call? Or even police women?

hamaphrodite nko?

Any woman found outside after 9pm today will probably be used for rituals. That is an unfortunate tradition in Ife. If you have a relative on a journey and passing through IFE tonight, please advise them not to branch or have a stop over.

Make Ishilove no comet go buy Dat new airtel Stuff this night oo

Ile Ife and their rituals sha! anyway, my people modak will not trespass unless.........

Dem stil dey do oro for dis life? . . . . Na wa o

Introvert i expect you to be inside tonight o!

Oro Baba ooooooo

Sophisticated heathens

olapluto:
Any woman found outside after 9pm today will probably be used for rituals. That is an unfortunate tradition in Ife. If you have a relative on a journey and passing through IFE tonight, please advise them not to branch or have a stop over.

Rather than condemn this useless diabolical and criminal tradition you are here spreading it.

Yorubas sha

olapluto:
Any woman found outside after 9pm today will probably be used for rituals. That is an unfortunate tradition in Ife. If you have a relative on a journey and passing through IFE tonight, please advise them not to branch or have a stop over.

That nansense can't happen here in atlantic ocean! Damn woodaafurq

Ayameze2015:
That nansense can't happen here in atlantic ocean! Damn woodaafurq

In some parts of Lagos (Oshodi and Agege) they have similar Oro festivals.

The hinterland dwelling natives who migrated to and who now claim Lagos brought along their diabolical ways with them.

olapluto:
That is an unfortunate tradition in Ife. .

what is unfortunate about it? Yoruba tradition dictates that when the Oro procession is ongoing, strangers, women, and non-initiates remain indoors. Is that a tough call?

As cosmopolitan as Ikeja, the capital of Lagos state is, when the late Olu of Ikeja Oba Rauf Matemi Amore died, wasnt the Oro procession observed? When the late Ayangbure of Ikorodu died was the Eleuku Diety not brought out in broad day light? Please give me a break.

Na waaooh

So,all these oro whatever still exists in this 21st century? Only God knows who'll be the victim they'll sacrifice to their gods.  Damn, Ife is still a village living in 18th century,many of these kings are Pagans disguising under islam and christianity

the zoo

PPAngel:


Rather than condemn this useless diabolical and criminal tradition you are here spreading it.

Yorubas sha

Your understanding is unpolished. How am I spreading a tradition that will continue for years?

Yet people criticize Africans for dumping African traditions for Abrahamic religions

.

Alhamdulilah I am a Muslim

I don't beliv it..tradition of men

.

This is very wrong and violates women right...





I condemn this archaic practice

Kolomentality

what about olosho people?