Adeyinka Olaiya/
NewsmakersNG took a ringside seat as Yoruba traditional religion practitioners marked World Ogboni Day in Sao Paulo, Brazil at the weekend.
Held at Igbo-Ifa groove in Aruja, Brazil, the age-long Yoruba confraternity court, Egbe Awo, had in attendance the Oba Aare Ogboni Igba-Iwase Agbaiye from Ile-Ife, Nigeria, Oba Oyelade Adeyinka Adisa Arifanlajogun.
The world confraternity meeting, which received the Ologboni around the globe also celebrated the coronation of Otunba Adekunle Aderounmu as the Aare Oba Igba Iwase of Brazil, the high priest and the honourable head of Ologboni in Brazil and the Americas.
NewsmakersNG exclusively covered the proceedings of the coronation attended by several apostates from all over the globe.
Speaking with NewsmakersNG, the spiritual leader of the Ogboni Igba Iwase from Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyinka Arifanlajogun, clarified what seems controversial concerning the leadership of the Ogboni Court in ancient Yoruba land.
He said, “This is not a cult group, this is a true representation of the Yoruba religion through Ifa divinity. It is called Ogboni Court and not cult as many would compare it to the recent cultism around the world.”
Apart from Yoruba dignitaries from Ile-Ife, important names in the practice of Candomble and Umbanda, the Brazil version of the Yoruba traditional religion also graced the occasion with songs and praises. They appreciated the opportunities given to those in the diaspora to be members of the confraternity.
Also in attendance were hundreds of Brazilians and international traditionalists who, apart from the coronation ceremony led by Oba Oyelade Adeyinka, also displayed Yoruba traditional dances and ritual rites to the gods of the land.
Prayers were held to support the unity and oneness of the Yoruba race around the globe.
There was a performance by ‘Orisa Sango’, the Yoruba god of thunder spitting fire.
Sango chanted incantations of the Ifa divinity and several other ritual performances.
Arifanlajogun added, “The coronation of Oba Aare Igba Iwase of Brazil, Aderounmu, is a symbol of conquest in Brazil and the Americas. We have come to carry out this important event in Brazil as expected in all the lands where Yoruba people are dominant. The Ooni of Ife is aware of this and we have all his backings. Any other Ogboni Court in Brazil apart from Igba-Iwase does not represent the interest of the Yoruba religion. This coronation as you can see parades Ologboni members of the Igba-Iwase around the world present in this Igbo-Ifa. We are here with the mandates of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye. We have all that it takes to demonstrate our superiority over any other sect. We represent justice.”
Brazil, the second-largest black nation in the world now has the highest number of traditional shrines in the world – Ile-Ifa. The Yoruba traditional religion is considered a religious patrimony of the government of Brazil and is widely practised among Brazilians of all classes.
Otunba Aderounmu spoke of the importance of extending the world Ogboni Igba-Iwase coronation day to the people of Brazil.
He said, “We have one of the biggest traditional shrines in Brazil. We have uncountable traditional shrines owned by Brazilian Olorisa. Our Yoruba religion is of the high esteem in Brazil. Brazilians are proud to be traditionalist, unlike many Africans who practice it but will never associate with it in the public. Brazilians deserve the best from us.”
The ceremony ended with participants paying homage to eminent Yoruba kings and chiefs including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.