The five wives of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, would mourn for one year.

The monarch passed away on July 28, 2015 in London. He ascended the throne at the age of 50 in 1980.

A family member told The Punch that the wives, called Oloris in yorubaland, cannot also speak to journalists for within one year of the death of the king.

“The wives cannot talk to the press within one year of the monarch’s death. They cannot even attend flamboyant parties or events. There’s nothing the wives can do about that.

“After six months of mourning, the wives can attend low-key parties organised by close relatives. The family member has to be very close for the wives to attend,” the source said.

However, a palace chief had disclosed that Ife tradition forbids the wives of a departed Ooni from remarrying because the Ooni never dies.

“The Ooni lives on; he doesn’t die. He only transits to a higher realm. This is why his wives cannot remarry,” he said.

His wives were Morisola, Ladun, Odunayo, Adedolapo and Linda and their ages are between 40 and 60.

Sijuwade’s first wife, olori Yetunde, the mother of the first son, Adetokunbo, died some years ago.