“Those Who Buried Awujale Have Committed Abomination” – Concerned Ijebus

By Adesina Soyooye

Oluwo of Iwo disagrees, says it has liberated Yoruba Monarchs

A group, which identified itself as Concerned Sons and Daughters of Ijebuland, has described the funeral rites of the Awujale of Ijebuland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Adetona, GCON, as an abominable act.

Oba Adetona who passed on Sunday, July 13, 2025, was the very respected  Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.

The group, in a strongly-worded statement, said that the interment of the Awujale, outside the sacred grounds of Igbo Odu, the traditional burial ground of Ijebuland’s forefathers was a sacrilege.

Oba Adetona who passed at the age of 91 was buried on the premises of his private residence in strict compliance with Muslim rites, on Monday, July 14, as approved by him before his passing.

Recall that on the day of his funeral, security personnel had prevented Traditionalists who arrived in their scores to perform traditional rites on his body from assessing it, an act, applauded by the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi.

The statement by the group reads:

“It is with a heavy heart and a deeply troubled spirit that we condemn in the strongest cultural and spiritual terms the decision to bury our revered Monarch, the Awujale of Ijebuland, outside the sacred grounds of Igbo Odu, the traditional resting place of our fathers.

This act is not merely a deviation, it is an abomination.

“Eku may no longer cry as eku, eja may no longer cry as eja, and Omo eniyan may no longer speak with the dignity of mankind.

“These are not empty words; they echo the depth of our spiritual fears and ancestral warnings. To bury the custodian of our culture, our history, and our soul within the confines of his personal residence, rather than within the sacred earth prepared by our forebearers, is to shake the foundations of Ijebuland’s spiritual covenant.

“Let it be known that this act violates centuries of ancestral protocols.

“It threatens the spiritual continuity of our kingship.

It invites ancestral vengeance, disrupts communal harmony, and may plague generations yet unborn with confusion and misfortune.

“The Awujale was not a mere mortal in our eyes; he was Orisa, a symbol of divine authority and as such, he deserved not just our respect in life, but the sacred transition owed to every true monarch in death.

“We, therefore, call on the Council of Chiefs, royal lineage, custodians of Ijebu traditions, and all well-meaning sons and daughters of the land to:

1. Review and correct this abomination, if at all still spiritually possible.
2. Ensure this unholy precedent is not repeated or normalised.
3. Convene a reconciliation with the ancestors to appease the offended spirits.

“The abomination in Yoruba land, especially Ijebu which is home of traditions and cultural heritage

The place where Obas (traditional kings) are buried is traditionally known in Yoruba culture as “Ile Odù” or “Igbo Orò” or “Ìgbó Olófin or Igbo Oloja” depending on the town or kingdom.

“It is often a sacred forest or ancestral shrine set aside specifically for the burial of kings and sometimes high-ranking traditional chiefs. The exact name may vary from one Yoruba kingdom to another, but the concept is the same, a spiritually-significant place reserved solely for royal burials.

WHY ARE OBAS BURIED DIFFERENTLY?

Obas are not buried like ordinary people because:

1. Spiritual Continuity: Obas are believed to be semi-divine or representatives of the gods on earth (e.g. some are seen as descendants of Oduduwa or Oranmiyan). Their burial is considered a transition to the ancestral realm.
2. Preservation of Sacred Knowledge: Some believe certain rituals must be performed to transfer spiritual authority and protect the kingdom from chaos.
3. Cultural Tradition: The process is tied to long-standing customs, often involving traditional rites, secret societies (like the Ogboni’s, Osogbo’s or Oro cult), and kingmakers.
4. Protection of Royal Secrets: The location and method of burial often remain secret to protect the sanctity of the royal stool and kingdom.

What Happens If a King Is Not Buried in the Designated Place?

Disregarding these traditions is believed to have serious consequences:

1. Spiritual Disruption: It is feared that the spirit of the king may not rest or may become vengeful, causing unrest in the kingdom.
2. Cultural Desecration: It is seen as an abomination, which could invite curses, misfortune, or disunity within the community.
3. Loss of Legitimacy: Future kings may be seen as illegitimate if the predecessor was not properly buried, affecting traditional authority and rites.
4. Ancestral Disconnect: It disrupts the line of spiritual succession and communion with the ancestors, which is vital in Yoruba cosmology.

“It’s Abomination to Yoruba land when all the spiritual rites are not thoroughly put in place for any king in our society

“May the land forgive us.

May the ancestors find a voice again And may Ijebuland not become a shadow of herself.”

Meanwhile, the Oluwo of Iwo, has applauded the funeral rites accoded the Awujale. He described it as a landmark victory for the Yoruba Traditional Institution and a  step towards restoring its sanctity.

He said: “The noble funeral rites of Awujale is a win-win for the Yoruba race, particularly, myself. It signals freedom of Yoruba Traditional Rulers from physical and spiritual oppression after their death.

“The seizure of a King’s corpse by any secret group should be optional, depending on the wishes of his family.

“Any town wishing to have a king butchered after death, should appoint a herbalist, or an Ognoni as its king.”