The five wives of late Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Ooni Of Ife
can’t remarry after the death of their husband.
According to a palace chief who requested anonymity, the
order was prescribed by Ife tradition since the Ooni is not
considered dead but to have transited to a higher realm.
Hear what the traditional chief said:
“The rules is general and applies to all Ooni that has passed
on and not peculiar to the wives of Oba Sijuwade, the
immediate past Ooni. There may not be a clearly defined
repercussion against the tradition but it is advisable that the
order is obeyed at all times and for all generations. The best
that can happen to the oloris left behind by any late Ooni is
for them to remain single or be inherited by the reigning
Ooni.”
The king is survived by his 4 wives Morisola,
Adedolapo,Odunayo and Ladun and a and a concubine, Linda.
He lost his first wife, Yetunde, the mother of his first son,
Prince Tokunbo several years ago.
Ooni wives ages are between 40’s and 60’s.