Ooni of Ife Spends 7 Sacred Days With Spirits, Photos Trend
- Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi on Saturday, September 27, announced his emergence from a seven-day seclusion as part of the Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife, Osun state
- In a post on X, the monarch said he had spent the period in communion with God and ancestral spirits, praying for peace, prosperity and unity in Nigeria, Africa and for the children of Oduduwa across the world
- The Olojo Festival, an old Yoruba tradition, features the monarch’s annual retreat, during which the Ooni withdraws from public life to intercede on behalf of his people
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering metro.
Ile-Ife, Osun state - The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has concluded his seven-day seclusion, a sacred ritual observed as part of the yearly Olojo Festival.
In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, September 27, Oba Ogunwusi said the period was dedicated to deep communion with the supreme God and the Yoruba ancestors, while interceding for the people of Ile-Ife, Nigeria, Africa, and all descendants of 'Oduduwa' worldwide.
Source: Twitter
The first-class monarch wrote with accompanying pictures:
"After seven sacred days in deep communion with Eledumare (the Supreme God) and the spirits of our ancestors, I emerge renewed carrying the prayers of my people and the hopes of generations.
"Today, I rise with divine strength, to wear the sacred Aare Crown, invoking peace, prosperity, and unity for Nigeria, Africa, and all the children of Oduduwa across the world.
"This is more than tradition.
"This is the new dew dawn."
What is Olojo Festival?
Legit.ng reports that the Olojo Festival, meaning “the Day of the First Dawn,” is celebrated to mark the day the Almighty created the earth.
It is one of the oldest and most respected cultural festivals in Oduduwa land. It symbolises creation, renewal, and the spiritual authority of Ile-Ife as the cradle of mankind.
The Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife, Osun state, which started on Saturday, September 20, will end on Monday, September 29. The key events expected to occur at the festival include the grand finale and the Olojo 5K road race.
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Ooni's seclusion period
Traditionally, the seclusion period also prepares the Ooni of Ife for the climax of the Olojo Festival, when he will appear wearing the sacred Aare crown, a relic believed to be the original crown of Oduduwa.
During the festival’s climax, the Ooni leads processions, ancestral rites, and prayers at significant historical sites in Ile-Ife.
These rituals reaffirm the town’s place as the spiritual heart of the Yoruba people and unite indigenes and visitors to celebrate cultural pride and heritage.
Netizens react to Ooni's seclusion
Meanwhile, several X users reacted to the Ooni of Ife's dayslong seclusion and the trending photographs.
Legit.ng captures some comments below:
@BlvckChild61067 wrote:
"If He Is an “Ooni” He’s Truly Speaking With The Ancestors!"
@Adedoyinni commented:
"Yorùbáland shall be Great again!"
Source: Instagram
Akintayo Adams Adekunle said:
"Aláyélúwà Kábíyèsí Ọọ̀nirìṣà Ọ̀jájá II, May the prayers be answered.
"Long May You Lead The Descendants of Odùduwà.
"May Olojo Festival grow from strength to strength under you."
Ooni of Ife visits Olubadan
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Ooni of Ife paid a courtesy visit to the Olubadan, Rashidi Ladoja, at his private residence in Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo state.
The visit, which drew considerable attention across the region, marked a symbolic gesture of unity and respect between two of the most revered traditional rulers in Yorubaland.
The two monarchs exchanged warm pleasantries before proceeding into the parlour, where the royal engagement formally commenced.
Source: Legit.ng
