Tragic death of Aare Ona Kakanfo untrue – Alaafin

The Alaafin has described as untrue, an age-long myth that the occupant of the Aare Ona Kakanfo stool is destined to die a tragic death after his installation.

He said, “A lot has been said about the Aare Ona Kakanfo that they die tragic death. This is not true. We have prayed that the time of the new Aare will usher in great things for Yoruba land.

“It is important that we have someone that will establish enduring unity in Yoruba land. Gani Adams today has become the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land and this is witnessed by monarchs from all over Yoruba land.

“We have begged all the deities of Yoruba land to enable unity and peace in the land during the time of Gani Adams so that Yoruba land can regain its lead position among all races,” said the monarch.”

While also dismissing the myth surrounding the life of an Aare Ona Kakanfo, Adams said although the last two occupiers of the stool died tragically, there were others who lived up to 100 years.

Charms on sale

The venue of the installation did not only play host to traditional rulers, spiritual leaders and politicians, also to merchants of traditional charms.

There were many of them who brazenly displayed the charms along the road leading to the Durbar Stadium, venue of the event and they were not starved of customers.

Among their clients were members of the Oodua Peoples Congress in their uniforms, who formed a queue to purchase the charms.

One of them said he wanted to buy bullet proof charm and protection against poison. Asked if he was sure of the potency of the charms since he would not test its efficacy at the point of sale, the OPC member, who simply identified himself as Dudu, said he trusted the producers because they came from Yoruba towns that were known for producing powerful traditional charms and that he had an inbuilt mechanism that would inform him of the charms’ efficacy.

The buyer, who spoke under condition of anonymity said, “I don’t have to test it to know how good it is. The people (sellers) are from Ondo State and some parts of Ijebu. They are good in making local charms. We visit the places to purchase them often.

“Apart from that, I know some of them very well so I trust them. But if the charms are fake, I have an incision in my hand that will test it. There is a way I will feel in my body if it is good or not.”

Charms were not the only items on display as some people also took advantage of the event to make quick money. There were tents mounted by some women where they sod food and drinks. Many people, who could not enter the stadium, decided to enjoyed themselves under the tents outside, smoking cigarettes, and drinking beer and local gin.