Nigerian Traditions: ‘Opa Ase’ Of Yoruba Monarchs

One of the trending topics on social media in the past few days is the looting of Oba of Lagos’ Palace which led to the taking away of the Yoruba Monarch‘s staff of office (Opa Ase) by hoodlums.

The ‘Opa Ase‘ is an important part of the Yoruba peoples’ culture and tradition. It is as sacred as the king’s crown as it forms part of the king’s authority.

On ascension of the throne after the coronation, the staff of office (Opa Ase) along with the crown, sceptre, horsetail becomes a symbol of authority with which the Yoruba monarch (Oba) wields his power and made him to be regarded as ‘second to the gods‘.

The staff of office is given to kings who traces its link to Oduduwa in Ile-Ife, the ancestral home of the Yoruba people. Opa Ase is now given by the government to whoever is made king due to the Morgan Commission of 1977 which was made by the Western Region government after Nigeria’s independence.

Prior to this time, the people of Yorubaland takes order from their powerful monarchs such as the Alaafin of Old Oyo Empire with the staff playing an important role in the authority of the powerful traditional ruler.

The staff of office, which is a beaded staff still plays an important role in today’s Yoruba monarch being an important figure in the community. It is the symbol of authority, without it, the king’s word is just a mere word which made him an ordinary citizen.

Although the crown is the most significant of the royal insignia as it stipulates the royal power of the king, the function of the ‘Opa Ase’ goes along with it. According to the peoples’ tradition, it should not be toyed with by any individual as it is seen as a sacred tool of power.

The questions that need replies now is what happens to the authority of Oba Rilwan Akiolu‘s whose staff of office was taken away by hoodlums? Will there be any repercussion in the spiritual on the hoodlums that moved the staff away from the King’s Palace? Can we say the staff office is no longer a tool of power?

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