By Adefemi Adeniran
I hold deep reservations about the increasing number of Yoruba kings who have gradually distanced themselves from the very essence of the thrones they occupy, our customs, our rites, our religion, and the cultural heritage they swore to uphold.
Kingship in Yorubaland is not a mere title. It is a sacred custodianship. The Oba is not just a community leader; he is the spiritual and cultural anchor of his people. He does not simply represent tradition, he embodies it.
Yet, we now witness a disturbing trend: kings who readily abandon their traditional obligations in favour of modern doctrines or western practices, practices that may nourish the soul, yes, but have no roots in the institutions of our ancestors.
While faith is personal, the throne is not. It is institutional, communal, and sacred.
The custodian cannot selectively discard elements of the crown that feel inconvenient or incompatible with their personal beliefs.
In my opinion, if a would-be king knows beforehand that he cannot, or will not, perform the rites, uphold the ancestral practices, or fully represent the traditional identity of the people, then he should decline the crown ab-initio. Or, in the spirit of honour and truth, abdicate.
Look to the West, the British monarchy for instance. Despite the United Kingdom being a democratic society and its people largely secular, the British royal family has preserved its traditions, ceremonies and symbolic roles.
The King still undergoes a coronation steeped in centuries-old ritual. Royal garments, processions, and titles remain rooted in heritage. Why? Because the crown represents something bigger than the individual who wears it.
We cannot afford to lose our identity to the creeping tide of cultural amnesia. Modernity must never come at the cost of authenticity.
It is not an act of rebellion to demand that our traditional rulers remain true to their oaths, it is an act of preservation.
If we continue to dilute the office of kingship in the name of convenience or modern acceptance, we risk leaving our children with empty thrones and forgotten stories.
Let those who cannot carry the weight of tradition not wear its crown.
Our cultural preservation and identity is very important and those vested with the responsibility must honor the responsibility of their custodianship.
Omooba(Prince) Adefemi Adeniran is of the Gbaemu Royal Family, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
