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The burial of Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Olayiwola (Adeyemi III) conformed with tradition, Bashorun of Oyo (Traditional Prime Minister) Chief Yusuf Ayoola, saod yesterday.
The position of the high chief, who is the head of the Alaafin-in-Council (also known as Oyomesi), cleared the air on the controversy lover the way the late monarch’s body was handled on Saturday. Oba Adeyemi died on Friday.
He explained that the body of the royal father, being a Muslim, was brought to the public to allow Islamic clerics to pray on it before interment.
According to him, doing so did not anyway contradict tradition. He, however, insisted the remains could not be buried in public.
Chief Ayoola said: “Kabiyesi was a Muslim. What was important is that Muslim clerics needed to pray on his body before it is taken to Ile nla (Kings’ burial site). The body was taken indoors to prepare for burial according to tradition.
“People should not expect to witness Alaafin’s burial like those of other obas. Alaafin’s burial is different. So, is that of the Ooni. Oyo is a town ingrained in Yoruba culture. We do things according to Yoruba tradition; and that was why the body was buried in accordance with tradition.”
Also speaking on how the new Alaafin will be picked, the prime minister said due process will be followed before another king can be enthroned despite the fact that the compound that will produce the next Alaafin is already known.
He said: “There is procedure for everything here. There are only two compounds that produce the Alaafin. Only the one favoured by God mounts the throne.”
Oba Adeyemi, who was 82, was on the throne for 52 years.
The monarch, who hailed from the Alowolodu compound, will be remembered for his great knowledge of history, influence and promotion of Yoruba culture as well as his controversies.
Yesterday, a former Olori Badirat Olaitan of the late monarch relived her romance with Oba Adeyemi.
In her post on Instagram, Olori Olaitan, who claimed to have been betrothed to the Alaafin at 19, recalled how she and the late monarch were the best of friends.
The Olori noted that the bond she shared with the Alaafin could be likened to that of a “siamese” but everything flopped when “they had inkling about whom your favourite was.”
”I was thinking it’s all lies and that you are coming back but I’m afraid I was wrong”, the Olori said, adding: “the father of my kids, whom I met at an impressionable age, left when it was least expected. Whenever I tell people that the bond we shared can be likened to that of a ‘Siamese’, having been married to you at age 19, they are more than transfixed.
“We were practically best of friends but the moment they had an inkling about whom your favourite was, everything flopped.
“Alas! the kids and I can’t see you anymore nor converse with you any longer but I vehemently believe you are seeing us, how I wish we could still have few words because I’ve got a whole lot to tell you.
“I’m bereft of what to tell the boys, especially Adejuwon, because, at his age, he reads and surfs the net so much that curiosity gets hold of him and has already known a lot about you.
“You remain to me, the best father, teacher and mentor and husband that ever bestrode the landscapes. Almighty Allah will forgive all your sins and accept your return.”
