ROYAL ETIQUETTE STIR: OONI OF IFE AND NEW ALAAFIN IN A MOMENT OF CULTURAL CONTROVERSY

By Wale Ojo-Lanre, Esq – Usi Ekiti

A recent public encounter between the Ooni of Ife and the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo has sparked a wave of discussion among cultural enthusiasts, traditional custodians, and Yoruba observers over what many consider a troubling lapse in royal protocol.

At a gathering of traditional rulers, the Ooni of Ife—widely regarded as the spiritual head of the Yoruba monarchy—entered the hall and was warmly welcomed by fellow monarchs, all of whom rose to their feet in reverence. However, when the Ooni approached the new Alaafin, the young monarch remained seated and extended a handshake—an act that, while seemingly minor, has stirred cultural discomfort across the Yoruba sociocultural space.

In Yoruba tradition, standing to greet an elder or a superior—particularly a figure as revered as the Ooni—is not merely etiquette, it is a sacred expression of honor. To remain seated in such a moment is widely viewed as a deviation from long-standing values rooted in respect, humility, and reverence for hierarchy.

This was not just a break from protocol; for many, it symbolized a crack in the cultural foundation that binds Yoruba royalty. The Ooni of Ife is not only a traditional ruler—he is Olori Alade, a father figure to the monarchy, custodian of ancestral wisdom, and a living emblem of Yoruba continuity and identity.

That said, this moment calls for not just criticism, but reflection and constructive response. The Alaafin, freshly enthroned, is still navigating the immense responsibilities and expectations that come with the crown. Royal decorum is not mastered overnight—it is absorbed through mentorship, observation, and communal support.

Rather than allow this incident to deepen divides, it should become an opportunity for growth. It may, in fact, be time for the Ooni—whose reach and leadership extend far beyond the throne—to consider the establishment of a Royalty Academy: a formal institution dedicated to grooming new kings in the intricacies of Yoruba royal culture, values, and ceremonial conduct.

Such a legacy would not only preserve our heritage but ensure that those who wear the crown embody its full weight—ceremonially, culturally, and spiritually.

I therefore appeal to the Ooni of Ife to receive this misstep with his characteristic grace. Let this not become a cause for contention, but a catalyst for cultural renewal. Let it serve not as a scar, but as a seed—one that will grow into a stronger, more unified Yoruba royal institution.

In preserving our tradition, we preserve our identity. In upholding respect, we secure the pride of future generations.

Let this moment remind us all to rise—not just to our feet, but in humility, unity, and truth—for the dignity of the Yoruba crown.