In a bold and controversial statement, the Natural Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, Arole Olodumare 1, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi (The Oluwo of Iwo Land) has challenged the notion that traditional Yoruba religion is a part of Yoruba culture and tradition, declaring that it is nothing more than “idolatry and deity worshipping” which should be separated from Yoruba culture.
He asserts that Yoruba culture and traditions must be preserved without the influence of religion, arguing that imposing one religion on the Yoruba people in the name of tradition and culture is a form of cultural appropriation.
As a custodian of Yoruba culture and traditions, Arole Olodumare 1 states, “I must ensure that our great Yoruba culture and traditions are preserved and passed on without the influence of religion.” He takes issue with the idea that Yoruba kings must worship idols and deities, arguing that such practices are not part of the traditional criteria and requirements for kingship in Yoruba culture.
Drawing on Yoruba history, Arole Olodumare 1 points out that the traditional worship of Olodumare, the Supreme Being, was prevalent among the early Yoruba people, including Oduduwa and his contemporaries, and that the worship of deities came later and was imposed on the people. He challenges the notion that Yoruba deities are a part of the people’s cultural heritage, suggesting that they have been imposed in the same way that tribal marks were imposed on children without their consent.
The Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, therefore, calls on Yoruba people to question the true nature of their cultural heritage and to reject the idea that traditional Yoruba religion is an essential part of their culture. He concludes by stating that “we must preserve our culture and traditions without the influence of religion,” indicating his commitment to safeguarding the authentic Yoruba culture for future generations.
Kwara Express gathered from his official social media page as he put:
“One religion is lying to the Yorubas that it is our tradition and culture !!! We are not arguing religion but we must save our culture from religion. Religion is religion don’t let them impose one religion on us in the name of tradition and culture, our great Yoruba culture and traditions must be separated from idolatry and deity worshipping which is religion and that’s where we clash as a custodian of Yoruba culture and traditions.
Religion is a choice and i choose islam but I’m not telling anyone that Islam is our culture and traditions. The criteria and requirements to become an oba in Yoruba land is that you must be a Prince from the Royal family of that town that needs a king.
But different worshippers (Oro idile) wants to tell us that a king must worship idol and deities.
Yoruba cannot accept that and I as unique king will not accept that to pass on this Great Yoruba culture and traditions that I was appointed as her Custodian!
Some Yorubas way of worship is religion not culture and if you know our history you should go back in time and ask yourself a question… what was our real forefathers worshiping?
Oduduwa worshiped OLODUMARE because all this deities in Yoruba land today were not born before Oduduwa. Ogun and sango worshiped OLODUMARE, obatala and oduduwa can be passed as age mate and Oduduwa won over obatala in competing for the crown at the same time, they were even enemies!!
We are not worshippers of our fathers; oro idile ni gbogbo awon orisa tiwon bo yi and they want to impose it on us just like tribal marks were imposed on a child who knows nothing about it… why not let the child grow up and ask if he or she wants it… to be continued
Arole Olodumare 1! Alase Lori Orisa 1!! Emperor Telu 1!!!
