The Ooni of Ife is dead and buried. Rumours that the Abobaku has absconded.

An Abobaku is someone who ought to be buried alongside the King

According to Yoruba tradition a king does not die alone

Ile Ife, Nigeria – The Ooni of Ife, Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade died on 28 July, 2015 and was buried on Friday, 14 August, 2015 in Ife, Nigeria. He was considered the most influential monarch by most Yorubas, who number about 35 million in the region.

According to Yoruba tradition, a king does not die alone. His burial rites include being buried with other people and this is where an Abobaku comes into the picture. The Abobaku has reportedly run away after the death of the King of Ife land.

According to tradition, an Abobaku lives his life for the king and he is buried alongside the king. In the authentic tradition, just as there is a lineage that becomes king, there is also always a family dedicated to the ancient belief of dying with the king. An Abobaku also enjoys great benefits while he is still alive.

According to reports from the Nigerian press however, there is a growing concern that the Abobaku (whose names remain anonymous) has absconded before the day of burial.

While controversy rages about the Abobaku, it is the custom not to expose the body of the king during his funeral. This is because in Yorubaland, (south-west Nigeria, Togo and Benin) a traditional ruler does not die: He only goes on a journey to join his ancestors.

The moment he dies his immediate family are required to hand over his body to a traditional “cult” – a religious secret society – which will immediately begin the necessary rites. Details of the burial will remain secret.

Although some Yorubas claim that the practice of burying someone alive with the king has long been abolished. The powerful “Oro cult” has declared night curfew at the Ife area for seven days. During these days it is widely expected that anyone who sees an “Oro” or come in contact with them is expected to disappear without no legal protection or consequence for the “Oro.”
Meanwhile, qualified princes within Ife’s ruling houses have started putting forward their candidacy. The job of choosing a successor rests squarely on the kingmakers from within the family in consultation with their oracle, known as Ifa. They have no time limit to make their decision.

An inter-denominational Christian religious service was organised by the royal family on the palace premises. Dignitaries, priests and a choir were there, but there was no casket.

Few days before the burial, the Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola revealed the content of a text message the late Ooni of Ife, sent to him before he passed away.

“His Excellence said, ‘I am still not feeling good, so I am travelling abroad for the medical check up of my body, therefore I place your government under God’s guidance.’”

The governor disclosed the text message from the monarch shortly before he left the country. He was reported dead on July 28, 2015 in a London hospital at the age of 85, but the news was refuted by the Royal traditional council of Ile Ife who claimed that he is alive and in good health. His passing away was officially announced by the Ife High Chiefs when they visited the governor of Osun State in Nigeria, Mr Rauf Aregbesola on Wednesday, 12th of August.

Mr. Aregbesola said, “The late Ooni represented the Yoruba nation and has done a lot in uplifting the traditional institution of the state.” He added that the death of the Ooni was a great loss to the state and the Yoruba race, but noted that the “king is not dead” because it is against custom to say the king is dead in Yorubaland.