Wild jubilation as Ooni of Ife wears 70kg sacred crown for the first time (photos)

His Imprerial Majesty Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife

After his seven day sojourn in the midst of the gods, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) wore the Are crown for the first time after his emergence as the Ooni on Saturday, October 15, 2016.
The annual Olojo festival affords Ooni the rare opportunity to wear the ancestral crown of Oduduwa which is won once in a year.

Ooni Ogunwusi wearing the Are Crown for the first time during the 2016 Olojo festival

The Ooni had on Sunday, October 9, 2016  moved into seven-day seclusion immediately after unveiling the replica of Are Crown in front of Oke-Mogun Shrine, Enuwa roundabout, Ile Ife.

This will be the first time the respected monarch will embark on the yearly rite since his enthronement as the Ooni of Ife in 2015.


Ooni wearing the are crown
Oba Ogunwusi was looking pale and white and was dressed in all white ensembles as he came back to the palace. His beards appeared unkempt as no blade was allowed to touch him in the land of the spirit where he just came back from.



Olori Wuraola accompanied by the Ooni’s sisters during the Olojo festival
Explaining the significance of Olojo festival, the Loowa Adimula of Ife, High Chief Joseph Ijaodola, disclosed that the festival has been in existence since the day of their forefathers. The festival commemorates the descent of Oduduwa to Ile-Ife, saying, “It is historically tied to Ogun the quintessential deity of iron and truth who is the father of modern science.”

Ooni with Are crown

At exactly 5pm, Oba Ogunwusi came out with Are crown on his head and a white dove, praying for the peace and progress of the ancient city and the black race. He subsequently proceeded amidst prayers and several gunshots to Oke Mogun(Ogun shrine) and Idi Aje two major ports of call during Olojo Festival where rituals and prayers were said for the peace of Nigeria and Yoruba race.
On the procession of Ooni to Oke Mogun were former governor of south west and Are Tobalase of Ife Admiral Akin Aduwo, Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Tredjo Sosa, former president Nigeria Guilds of Editor, Gbenga Adefaye, a Special Adviser to Lagos state governor, Kehinde Bamigbetan, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Hon. Rotimi Makinde, Professor Adeyemi Aderibigbe, leader of OPC, Dr. Frederick Fasheun, Minority Leader of Osun state House of Assembly, Hon. Safiriyu Akinwole, some royal fathers led by Ajero of Ijero kingdom, Oba Adewole Joseph, Ife chiefs, priests and members of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, as well as indigenes and tourists from different parts of world.

Ooni Ogunwusi unkempt beard after 7-day seclusion before wearing the Are crown for Olojo festival

Literally, Olojo festival (Ojo ti ojo di ojo), meaning “the day day became day”. It is believed to be a day when all prayers will be answered.



Chief Priest and arugba
The crown, which spiritually weighs over 70kg, is always worn once in a year by the Ooni during which major gods in the city are appeased.
The Aare is a special crown made of 151 items, part of which is cutlass and hoe.‎ The crown is expected to be worn during the annual Olojo festival in the ancient city.
The festival, which is a celebration of the creation of the first dawn, the first afternoon and the first night in creation of mankind, witnessed the presence of dignitaries, artists, traditional rulers and government officials.

Chiefs in procession performing rituals for the safety of the Ooni in seclusion

The Are crown is said to have five sensory organs like every human being. The festival runs from October 14 and ends on October 17 which doubles as Ooni’s 42^nd birthday

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