The Nation reports that the wives of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, cannot re-marry following the demise of the late monarch.
This, according to a palace chief who pleaded anonymity, follows the tradition of Ife, which also stipulates that the Ooni is not considered dead but has transited to a higher realm.
The late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade. His wives cannot remarry.
“The rules is general and applies to all Ooni that has passed on and not peculiar to the wives of Oba Sijuwade, the immediate past Ooni. There may not be a clearly defined repercussion against the tradition but it is advisable that the order is obeyed at all times and for all generations.
“The best that can happen to the oloris left behind by any late Ooni is for them to remain single or be inherited by the reigning Ooni,” the chief explained, adding also that it does not matter whether the wives are young or old, but that “what matters is that the tradition must be sustained in the overall interest of the society.”
Oloris Morisola, Ladun, Odunayo, Adedolapo and Linda are the late monarch’s wives and their ages are between 40’s and 60’s.
