Oba Lamidi Adeyemi the Alaafin of Oyo celebrates 79th birthday

The ancient town of Oyo came alive over the weekend when the paramount ruler, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Iku Baba Yeye, Clocked 79 years.The monarch, who was surrounded by his wives, children and grandchildren doesn’t look his new age. Fit as a fiddle, the Alaafin is said to be a boxer who loves to exercise

There is a mythology surrounding the stool of the Alaafin. The Alaafin inherits the attributes of divinity, which the Yoruba believe means death. As the Alaafin-elect,

The present Alaafin went through several propitiations and sacrifices before he was crowned, top on the list of traditional rites of becoming Alaafin of Oyo are:

Oath taking:

According to Yoruba history before the present Alaafin of Oyo was crowned, he was taken to the hollow grounds of Yoruba ancestors.

The Alaafin was made to swear an oath and make a covenant with the forebears that he will defend, project and enhance the traditions, customs and values of the Yoruba people.

Induction to the myth of Sango:

The Alaafin was inducted to the myth of Sango and other gods before he was crowned

Visit to Ifa corpus:

The Alaafin was taken before the Ifa corpus as a way of studying some philosophies guiding the institution.

Once he passed through this, he is expected to eliminate fear completely in his life and imbibe the philosophy of service to humanity.

He no longer have a private life of his own; the totality of his life must be spent in service to people and humanity.

When you are taken through all this, you become the embodiment of Yoruba customs and tradition. You radiate it and project it in your day-to-day appearances.

One must swallow 200 bullets:

Before Alaafin was crowned, they take 200 bullets, put them in the fire and melt them together, after which he was made to swallow it with concoctions.

Alaafin is a beneficiary of death, ailment, predicament and controversy. He is expected to defend and, if possible, die for the cause of the Yoruba. That is the reason why the mythology surrounding the Alaafin is a living one.