Ipebi, the Yoruba tradition shrouded in secrecy

Culture has a way of identifying a people, race or clan. From the North down to the East and South, cultural differences confer a form of identity not in terms of social status but most importantly in terms of origin and ethnicity.

Even among the progressive elements, they pride themselves with different beliefs just as they do everything possible to preserve their culture. Its dynamism however offers a sense of pride not only as a distinct tribe on the one side but also as Africans on the other.

Traditional rulers are the custodians of African culture and tradition and if you are to be enthroned as an Oba in Yoruba land, you will have to undergo a three-month seclusion in the native shrine.

In Yoruba kingship, the royal seclusion otherwise know as Ipebi in Yoruba parlance is the focus in this edition. Right from the day a man is selected as a King, either by the oracle or by the unanimous decision of the Council of chiefs and kingmakers, he assumes total dignity befitting royal office. He is always imbued with the ritual powers. No doubt the traditional paraphernalia of royal office make him thick beyond ordinary person and thus he is addressed as the Kabieyi, meaning ‘your authority or action cannot be questioned. He becomes the Oba, alase, ekeji Orisa (King, the ruler and the gods’ lieutenant)

According to HRM, Oba Aremu Aromire, Ojora of Ijora, ‘’an Oba is not an ordinary person, that is why they don’t have to talk anyhow.”

However, the royal prerogatives of wearing the crown do not come so cheap. There are processes- restrictions, seclusions, and transformation between the period of selection and coronation. Ipebi, which is common with virtually all the Yoruba kingship processes, is usually a three-month seclusion in a native shrine where the Oba would undergo training in custom and tradition of the land. He is not allowed to see any member of his family within the period.

Speaking with Saturday Vanguard in his palace, the Ojora of Ojora said: “Before, he will not be allowed to see anybody, not even his wife. I did not see my wife during my time in Ipebi but only my male child. You will not sleep on the bed but on a bare floor. Then you undergo training on customs and traditions. That is all I can tell you”.

When asked about the kind of food an Oba eats in Ipebi, he said: “You eat all kinds of food prepared by traditionalists. The food must not be prepared by a woman. This is the period you will be praying to your ancestors for your reign to be peaceful. You must have quality time with the ancestors because after leaving the Ipebi, you are going to meet different people. I will not say more than that.”

Ojora stated further that the Oba in council and a group of traditionalists are those who are saddled with the responsibility of grooming the new Oba on the customs and traditions as well as other things he said he would not mention.

He noted that some Obas have been carried away with politics and do not observe the Ipebi, describing the trend as ‘very dangerous’.

In the same vein, HRH, The Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro in his own submission said: “During the Ipebi three lunar months period, the historical antecedent of the town; of various families and what they stand for will be shown to you.Commenting further on culture, Oba Ajibade said “in those days. We were very familiar with the traditions of the village as handed over to us by our fore fathers. Before the practice of Christianity or Islamic religions, we were all idol worshipers who migrated to different places to create towns and villages and we were ruling and governing our people without the use of the force or written laws during this time but with our culture. All these were in place when there were no laws, when there were no police, or judiciary and parliament. These cultures guided people on how to live their lives without rancour.”

For the full story, check the full story in the Vanguard newspaper.