Tribes and Traditions

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Nigeria is a country filled with so many tribes but the most popular ones we could actually talk about majorly are the Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa. Each of these tribes has their cultures and traditions which distinct them from one another.

Every tribe with their way of performing marital rites, coronations or even punishment to any offender who go against the customs and traditions of the various tribes.

Talking about the Yoruba tribe as a case study, and distinctively talking around kings in the Yoruba land.  Let's take a look at a few among the king rulers in Yoruba land.

• Ooni of Ile-Ife 
• Alaafin of Oyo
• Alake of Egba land
• Orogun of Ila
• Owa of Ijesha
• Akarigbo of Shagamu
• And many others

We'll be specifically looking at the kingship in Oyo state, as this is the current place in Yoruba land that is presently experiencing a change in throne after the previous king joined his ancestors.

Oyo state is one of the iconic part of the Yoruba land. After mentioning Ile-Ife as a major part where the Yoruba origin begins from, Oyo would also be mentioned and not left out so everyone believed that even if any other places in yoruba land are not practicing the customs and traditions of Yoruba land in selecting and enthroning a kind, Oyo should never be mentioned amongst them.

It is believed that for every king that is to be enthroned, there must be some rites and customs to be performed for the king-to-be. Even right from the selection stage amidst the princes if there is more than 1 eligible prince.

All these rites are done and the necessary things are passed across to the new king of which the day of coronation is fixed for every person to come rejoicing with the new king and the town as a whole.

But this question now lies somewhere...

Is it still the same now or the process of the customs and traditions have been diluted with civilization and politics?

If yes, do you think in 2 decades to this present time, things would still go well without manipulation and we can still say our tribes still remain our tribes? Are kings now appointed based on really direcing and to rule the people or to just command a great life and respect for themselves?

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