Ooni Of Ife Causes Stir Online With ‘Funny’, ‘Strange’ Tradition

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has stirred controversy online over a tradition which many described as funny and strange.

Naija News reports that a video of the popular Yoruba Monarch making the rounds online shows the moment he was stepping out of his car and some palace chiefs surrounded and covered him with a white umbrella and garment.

According to the Instagram user who shared the video, the Yoruba tradition does not allow the king to bow to anyone.

However, when the king is coming out of his car it is perceived that the bending position could mean he is bowing down to the people standing in the scenario, hence, he must be covered when exiting and entering his car.

Reacting to the video, some netizens questioned if the King isn’t bowing down to the chiefs who often cover him.

@_kruiseee wrote: “Dem 4 no carry am 4 small car nauu… Atleast G-wagon is usually high or even build his own skyscraper car…. But at the same time he bowed for those men covering him”

@shinaoyemade wrote: “Outdated Culture. Shameless traditionists. Of what benefits are these, Kings? All they do marry more wives, breed more children, dress extravagantly at the expense of hard working ” suckers Nigerians. They get paid huge salaries doing nothing.”

@irepbdg_ wrote: “Those that circle him, are they not human being? Or they are exempted”

@makas.bestie “Buy gwagon for amThis tradition strong oo.”

@urbcurbyen wrote: “Thank God for White people who did away this culture and progressed, liberated them people thereafter advanced technologically, benefits of what we are in Africa, especially Nigerians are enjoying today e.g. social media, videoing events …. it’s time for Nigerians to think outside the box, this culture is dead.”

@ola_00767 wrote: “Even Jesus bowed down during his regime.”