On this day in 2015, the remains of revered monarch, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Olubuse II, Ooni of Ife, south-west Nigeria, was buried after thousands of people thronged the funeral of the first class sovereign.
The traditional rites to honour late Oba Sijuwade - a king of the Yoruba, Nigeria's second biggest ethnic group were being held in the city of Ife.
Dignitaries, including Nigeria's Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, paid their last respects before the private burial of the late king who was believed to have been the 50th Ooni of Ife.
The 85-year-old sovereign who was crowned in 1980 and was widely respected, died in London in July, 2015 but his death was only officially announced on Wednesday 12 August, 2015 by the Ife Traditional Council led by Obalufe, Oba Solomon Omisakin at the Government House, Osogbo, capital of Osun state, Nigeria.
The delay in the announcement of the Paramount ruler's death was due to strict adherence to Yoruba tradition of announcing the demise of a monarch. In Yorubaland, which refers to south-west Nigeria, Togo and Benin, a traditional ruler does not die: He only goes on a journey to join his ancestors.
Nigeria's many monarchs vary in hierarchy and importance and some like the Ooni of Ife and the northern emirs rule over large areas, while others are traditional rulers of a village or town.
Customs were fully adhered to at the funeral for the Ooni of Ife, who, according to Yoruba’s belief, is a direct descendant of Oduduwa who is a Yoruba god. The body was not displayed neither was any mention made of his burial.
An inter-denominational Christian religious service was organised by the royal family on the palace premises. Dignitaries, priests and a choir were there, but there was no casket.
The moment he dies his immediate family are required to hand over his body to a traditional "cult" - a religious secret society – which will immediately begin the necessary rites. Details of the burial will remain secret.
The powerful "oro cult" declared night curfew on Ife, which lasted seven days.
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