The Tears of Our Ancestors, A Cry to Safeguard the Soul of Yorubaland

The very foundation of our heritage trembles, thickened with the smoke of discord, an air of disquiet now envelops Yorubaland. Beneath the surface of a seemingly trivial royal spat between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, lies a deep-seated discord that imperils Yorubaland’s unity. This isn’t just a clash of titans, but a seismic rift threatening to unsettle the foundations of our heritage and undermine the collective strength of the Yoruba people.

This escalating rivalry, simmering for generations, has once again boiled over into the public square, eroding the very respect we hold for our traditional institutions. The spark that ignited this fire was the Ooni’s conferment of the Okanlomo of Yorubaland title on Chief Dotun Sanusi, a move swiftly and publicly challenged by the Alaafin. While the specifics of titles and protocols are the immediate focus, the true issue is the deep-seated, unfortunate battle for supremacy. This ancient rivalry, a ghost of pre-colonial empires, continues to haunt us, undermining the collective strength that defines the Yoruba race.

The consequences of this royal discord are far-reaching and deeply corrosive. When the sacred stools of the Alaafin and the Ooni, the pinnacles of our heritage and authority are used as stages for public feuds, the reverence accorded to them diminishes. In a modern society already questioning traditional leadership, such conflicts provide ammunition for those who would see our customs fade into irrelevance.

Furthermore, traditional rulers are the bedrock of peace and development in their domains. They are key players in mediating local disputes, fostering community growth, and attracting investment. A house divided against itself cannot stand. When our most prominent leaders are at loggerheads, it creates a climate of instability, diverting our collective attention and resources from critical issues like education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. The potential for the public, particularly our vibrant but sometimes volatile youth, to take sides is a clear and present danger. This feud sets a poor example, promoting a culture of antagonism over dialogue and making our people vulnerable to exploitation, especially through the divisive arena of social media.

This crisis is not a singular event but a complex culmination of several factors. The historical supremacy battles between the Oyo and Ife empires cast a long shadow, influencing modern interactions and perceptions. There is also a glaring absence of a clear, unified inter-monarchical body. While socio-cultural groups like the Yoruba Council of Elders are vital, a more structured and formal council of monarchs is needed to preemptively resolve disputes over protocols and jurisdictions before they erupt into public spectacles. Lastly, we cannot ignore the external influences and political agendas that often fuel these rivalries for personal gain, turning a cultural disagreement into a political one.

The path to peace and unity demands proactive and deliberate action. We must appeal to all stakeholders, the monarchs themselves, the Obas, the Baales, the chiefs, the Ifa priests, and the elders to mediate constructively and preserve the dignity of both stools. A formal, private meeting of these revered leaders, facilitated by a neutral body of respected elders, could serve as the first step toward a lasting resolution.

The focus must shift from a fruitless battle for supremacy to a collective mission. To lead the Yoruba race toward greater prosperity, cultural preservation, and global relevance. This is a time for calm, for reflection, and for profound unity. The Yoruba people are a collective, bound by a shared history, language, and destiny. Our true strength lies not in the authority of one king over another, but in the harmonious relationship between all our leaders and their people. Let us honor our ancestors and secure the future of generations to come by putting aside this conflict and working together as one.

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Adedokun Sunday

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