The
anxiety surrounding the demise of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, has
continued to heighten as worshippers of Oro began the annual festival in the
ancient town on Friday night.
Oro
is a deity worshipped across Yoruba land, which forbids the womenfolk from
going outdoors in the night during the period of its festival.
Although,
sources in Ife told our correspondent that the festival, scheduled to commence
on Friday night had nothing to do with the demise of the Ooni, the public
believe otherwise.
The
sources, however, insisted that the festival, which would last for seven
nights, should not be mistaken for the commencement of the rites of passage of
the Ooni.
They
also insisted that the Ooni was still alive, contrary to the media reports that
the monarch died in the United Kingdom.
Although
some youths interviewed by our correspondent said they were not aware of the
festival, they said the festival would force everybody to remain indoors at
night throughout the seven- day period.
A
former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Osun State, Mr. Sikiru Ayedun,
confirmed to our correspondent that the festival would start on Friday night.
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