For several days i have read several criticism of the new Olori who happens to be a prophet stepping on what many naively believe to be “blood” as part of cultural marriage rite….
Unfortunately, In my little time on earth, i have come to know that People like to criticise what they don’t understand…while shallow minds are quick to condemn, intelligent minds take time to analyse….
I don’t have a reservoir of knowledge on Yoruba culture, but the little I know about my Yoruba tradition helps me to know differently from a lot of people criticising the new Olori and the royal palace.
Basically, she didn’t step on blood as many believed. What she stepped on is called cam wood known as “oosun” in Yoruba. It literally symbolises good tidings or blessings if u wish.
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| Cam wood |
“Iyawo elese oosun” is a popular phrase in Yoruba when a wife is newly married….many Yoruba don’t even know this as they have lost touch with their culture believing everything culture is fetish…
The act in his particular picture is not fetish. It is just a cultural marriage rite which symbolises that the new wife has been accepted by the new family….
the Ooni is the custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition and even though this singular act is fast abandoned by a lot of Yoruba’s this days, no one has more responsibility to preserve it than the Ooni himself and the palace…
The real tragedy here is about a nation of people (Yoruba) who have lost their identity. Throwing stones at their fathers house. We need to learn, relearn and unlearn our history and tradition. If for nothing, at least for knowledge sake. That is our identity no matter where we go and who we become.
