A revered monarch in south-west
Nigeria, the Ooni of Ife, has been buried after thousands attended his
funeral, a mourner has told the BBC.
Traditional rites to honour
Oba Okunade Sijuwade - a king of the Yoruba, Nigeria's second biggest
ethnic group - are being held in the city of Ife.
Dignitaries, including Nigeria's Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, paid their respects before the private burial.
The 85-year-old sovereign was crowned in 1980 and was widely respected.
He died in London in July but his death was only announced on Wednesday.
He was considered the most influential monarch by most Yorubas, who number about 35 million in the region.
Nigeria's
many monarchs vary in hierarchy and importance and some like the Ooni
of Ife and the northern emirs rule over large areas, while others are
traditional rulers of a village or town.
The Ooni of Ife's kingdom is in present-day Osun state in south-west Nigeria
The monarch should be a direct descendant of Oduduwa, who is a Yoruba god
The practice of burying someone alive with king has long been abolished
Nigeria's many monarchs Abubakar
Madagali, the leader of the Hausa ethnic group in Ife, told the BBC
Hausa service that both Christian and Muslim leaders offered special
prayers for the late king before he was buried.
The ancient city of Ife is very quiet and people are in mourning. Banks and businesses have shut, Mr Madagali said.
"We have been told to close to our businesses for seven days." Analysis: Nigerian journalist Sola Odunfa
Customs
were fully adhered to at the funeral for the Ooni of Ife, his body was
not displayed neither was any mention made of his burial.
An
inter-denominational Christian religious service was organised by the
royal family on the palace premises. Dignitaries, priests and a choir
were there, but there was no casket.
This is because in
Yorubaland, which refers to south-west Nigeria, Togo and Benin, a
traditional ruler does not die: He only goes on a journey to join his
ancestors.
The moment he dies his immediate family are required
to hand over his body to a traditional "cult" - a religious secret
society - which will immediately begin the necessary rites. Details of
the burial will remain secret.
The powerful "oro cult" has declared a night curfew on Ife, which will last seven days.
Meanwhile
qualified princes within Ife's ruling houses have started putting
forward their candidacy. The job of choosing a successor rests squarely
on the kingmakers from within the family in consultation with their
oracle, known as Ifa. They have no time limit to make their decision.
Nigeria's
President Muhammadu Buhari said the traditional ruler would be
remembered for his "worthy service and invaluable contributions" to the
sustenance of the cultural heritage of his people.
"Oba Sijuwade
had lived a very fulfilled life, and has left worthy legacies for his
successors to build upon," he said in a statement.
He was a successful businessman at the time he was crowned - making much of his money from importing vehicles.
A
southern Christian, he was a close friend of one of Nigeria's most
revered Muslims leaders from the north, the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji
Ado Bayero.
His relations with the Emir, who died last year,
helped bring about peace and stability between the country's two main
religious communities.
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