ILE-IFE – The commencement of a seven-day Seclusion for His Majesty, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II ahead of the grand finale of the annual Olojo festival is significant for the wellbeing of the community and society in general.
Ooni Ogunwusi described the annual seclusion rite as the most sacred moment for him on the throne which is meant to interact with his ancestors, praying for the people of the Oduduwa race worldwide and mankind in general.
During the seclusion, the revered monarch communes with his ancestors and prayed for Nigerians and the entire mankind.
Attesting to the cultural importance of the Seclusion and the need to suppress further invasion of the traditional values by the Western world and civilization, the monarch assured that the heritage of the Yoruba race remains sacrosanct.
“For us in Yoruba land, we still uphold our heritage, and that’s why we celebrate the first dawn when the crown comes out for blessings because the crown has a life in it to date.
The revered crown is said to weigh 50 kilogrammes (a bag of cement).
Ooni added, “From time immemorial, whenever the crowns come out once in a year, it changes the weather because it has strong connections to every weathers around the world.
“This is because the crown normally doesn’t see the atmosphere, except once in a year. And the crown does everything a human being does. It’s spiritual, very different from all crowns.
“It’s a sacred crown that you can only find when it comes out once in a year for blessings, for honour and for prosperity.”
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Attesting to the spiritual power of the ancestral crown to effect and change difficulties to glories, the Oonirisa said,” I am a living example and living witness to the good deeds of the crown.
“I have actually charged the crown and I prayed to the crown that I want certain things done at particular times. This is my ninth year on the throne. By the glory of God Eledumare I will be ten next year. I have received a lot of testimonies concerning when things will be done. I have living testimonies.
“I have too many testimonies. I will make requests to God Almighty Eledumare with the crown that is worn on my head and I have never been disappointed. We have a strong culture and tradition, which we must continue to uphold.”
According to the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, the monarch prayed for the country.
“This time around, I want to pray and seek for the face of our Creator to intervene in the current economic situation.”
The festival that earlier featured Ayo Olopon traditional game , festival cultural talent hunt (Audition) and Olojo Festival colloquium continues with Ojo Ilagun, Iwode Ile-Ife (Community Cleansing) and Oonirisa’s terrestrial message to the World.
Saturday, 28th September, 2024 will the Festival’s grand finale official ceremony, Ojo Okemogun, and the Aare cultural procession.
On Sunday, 29th September, 2024 there will be Ojo Ajoyo (Asekagba), Adire Oodua Cultural Exchange Exhibition and Oonirisa’s Ife award for Community Service.
On Monday, 30th September, 2024 will be – Ojo Ibile (Oonirisa’s Ancestral Traditional Propitiation) and cultural talents hunt final.
