Betrayal Walks Barefoot Among Traditional Leaders.

Before the western religion(Christianity & Islam) came to place, there were traditional institutions which were part of our culture . These days many opine that traditional institutions are no longer sacrilege, many Pastors and Imams are coming into the traditional institutions with their religions, coming to the fore of Traditional rulers, examples are the Soun of ogbomosho who is a Christian, the late Awujale of Ijebu who many say did not follow tradition.

I will dwell more on the Awujale, this is because his case is the most recent. The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Dr. Sikiru Adetona, recently when he marked his 86th birthday and 60th anniversary on the throne in an interview said that he as the Awujale of Ijebuland, reserve the exclusive right and prerogative, to the exclusion of anybody – be it Oba or chief, the control over tradition and customs in Ijebuland.

Does this mean that anybody can just wake up one day and change traditional systems all in the name of religion?

I mean, if you will not practice the tradition why accept the role?

Although I read somewhere that one of our traditional rulers, stated that “A dead man don’t have any power on the living. So how did he (late Awujale) betray the tradition.”

All I can say is Yoruba ronu Our culture and traditions are gradually going into extinction. Across many Yoruba land, rituals which were once held in high esteem that held kingdoms together are now being mocked and desecrated. It should be noted that the epitome of tradition in Yoruba land lies in the sacredness of “Traditionional institutions of Oba” which is why they say “Oba to ba lori oun gbogbo”. Just as the sacredness of Christianity lies in Christ and that of Islam lies in the Prophet Mohammed”. So it is not for those who will not practice the tradition to come and partake in the leadership.

Tradition is not to be toiled with as this is heritage and Government or individuals should not over step their boundaries by altering traditions except they are violet fundamental human right. As traditional rulers derive authority laid down traditions which are ancestry and are custom