The world of Regents
in south west Yoruba land
In the South West
of Yorubaland Ondo state are
Regents who act briefly as the traditional heads of their towns or
communities pending the installation of
a new monarch. While some are smiling and enjoying the role others are
suffering in silence. Taiwo Abiodun had
a chat with some regents who relive
their experience
In some towns in
Yoruba land South West Nigeria , when a King dies , a woman is
temporary installed on the throne as a caretaker in order not to leave the throne vacant until
another monarch is installed. This
tradition is strict and all rules attached to it are religiously followed to
the letter. The Regents are expected to
dress and act like a male because though
they are women they are occupying seats meant
for men and so from their dressing to their actions they are men . Some
believe it is a fanfare and juicy
position, a thing of joy but many are
crying aloud that they are fed up and
want to go back to their former lives.
The Oloba of Uso[December 10,2011-Date]
‘My father did not set his eyes on my baby a month before
he died because of tradition’
Princess Adekemi Folashade Olijogun [Nee Oyinbade] is 31
years old. She is about 5 feet tall, and dark in complexion. She
graduated from Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo state where she bagged Higher National Diploma in Accountancy.
Presently she is a staff of a Federal Government Agency, the NESTREA , Akure . She became a
Regent of Uso ,near Akure on December 10, 2011,
Ascension to the throne
She said ‘’My father died in September 30, 2011 and I was
unanimously picked by the family
and the chief makers after consulting
the Ifa Oracle .I was installed on the 10th of December 2011 after
performing the necessary rites. They placed akoko leaves on my head and gave me some kolanuts to chew while
I chanted some incantations .Later I was given the position to sit on the throne of my father and
this I believe is temporary.’’
Her Responsibility
On the job she has been doing , she said’’ As a community
leader and head I have been acting as a
man since then .I settle disputes , and offer advise where necessary. However I do all these
with the assistance of my chiefs who are more knowledgeable , well versed in culture and
they all people of integrity. They are
highly supportive and understanding.
Marriage
The Regent who got
married in 2009 has one kid but prays for the community to install a new monarch in order to let her
have time for her family and have more kids .She said’’ The stool of Regency
does not permit a Regent to have babies while on the throne .That is why I am praying for
the community to quickly produce their new monarch and be left off the hook. The position is not
as easy as people thought of. I am always busy throughout as I attend meetings with governors and the
government officials
Husband
She said her husband
is in support of her position. ’’I appreciate my husband .He is a man of
culture ,he treats me like a Regent in
the public and gave me the necessary accolades and respect an oba should have
.He prostrates for me and calls me kabiyesi . But in
our matrimonial home I give him full
respect and honour. He was consulted
first and he gave me full support.
Dressing
According to the custom,
it is compulsory to be wearing
men’s clothes since I am in a man’s
shoe. Though this is not a surprise to me because I was used to wearing Jeans trousers before now .And I grew up in the palace , so
finding myself in that position is not
hard to cope with, it is simple as per
dressing .
Difficulties
What pained the
Regent most is that her father did not see her baby before
he died .My late father did not see my baby before he died. My baby was one month old before his
demise .I can’t imagine for my father
not to see , carry my baby in his arms
.He only saw the picture of my baby
since it is forbidden for a king to see a newly born baby until it is three
months old. I am pained .But that is part of our culture and I have no choice
or option than to accept.
After three months of being a Regent she discovered that the position is not as
easy and glamorous as many thought .’’ I discovered that the position is a hot
seat .Many people come in to either
glance at me and test my integrity but I always demand for God’s
guidance and knowledge like the Biblical King Solomon. They criticize you and talk about you , annoy you
and yet want to get closer to you. So as
the father of the community I take everything with maturity.
2 The Kalasuwe of Apoi –[March 13 2011-Date ]
Princess
Joyce Adesola Ibimidun Oladiran-Ebiseni
‘I missed my NGO’
Princess
Joyce Adesola Ibimidun Oladiran-Ebiseni is in her late 40s. She is one of the several daughters of Oba
Samuel Adetimehin Oladiran - Ugele Udum III who joined his ancestors in 2007. Here , we have
the Ijaws and the Yorubas speaking people
Why Regency is practiced
According to Kalasuwe of Apoi ‘‘’The tradition believes that a
married woman or a single lady should be made a Regent instead
of a male, for it is assumed that a male might not want to leave as he may
transform himself to be king .It had happened in one of the towns before. But
if a married woman or spinster is enthroned she will be yearning to go back to
her husband and family while a spinster will be yearning to get married and start her
own family.’’
Oladiran-Ebisesni spoke
about her late father ‘’The late Oba Oladiran was a Manager of the UAC when at the age of 35years, he was installed the
Kalasuwe in 1955. He held several positions which. included member of the Federal House of
Representatives in the First Republic; President Ese - Odo District Council as paramount
ruler, President Ese Odo
Customary Court and a member of the
western State Committee on Local Government
Reforms 1974.
Why Regents
should not give birth on the throne
The Regent
shed light on why Regents should not have babies on the throne ‘’ it is
because in the future , the child may
want to impose himself and believes he
has authority like others to become an oba, forgetting that his mother was adele
or caretaker
The first
Regent in the community
Princess Obimidun
Oladiran-Ebiseni became the first Regent in the history of the community
last year March. She was unanimously chosen
to lead the Apoi/Ijaw communities until another monarch is picked.
Contrary to the olden days idea and
some people’s thought that most regents are not well read ,Oladiran- Ebiseni debunked the claim and said ‘’I graduated from the Federal Polytechnic Ado-
Ekiti where I read Business Administration.
I later proceeded to the University of Lagos where I studied Political Science .
‘’I was appointed twice by
the Chairman of Ese -
Odo Local Government as Special Adviser on
Legislative Matters; Women and
Special Duties between 2000 and 2003.
Currently I am the Executive Director of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of Exceptional Persons (CREP), a Non-Governmental Organization committed to the plight of the Less -
privileged.
Speaking different dialects
She said , ‘’The Apois are Yoruba
speaking Ijaws, the Apois are a foremost tribe of Immemorial existence found
in the Niger Delta spreading from Bayelsa to Ondo State. The Apois has nine principal communities of Sabomi, Oboro, Kiribo, Igbobini, Igbekebo, Inikorogha,
Ojuala, Igbotu and Ipoke are a Federation with each having its own
Oba with Kalasuwe as paramount ruler.
The stool of the Kalasuwe was among the earliest recognized by the Europeans. At
the compilation of list of recognized Nigerian traditional rulers in 1924, the Kalasuwe also known as the "Oba of Ijaws" was among the highest
ranked. It is the foremost among the Ijaws. While there are noticeable and unmistakable Ijaw traits in their festivals, the Apois, mostly by the names and
absolutely by language,
are Yoruba speaking.
Experience /Duties
‘’With the
assistance of my chiefs and community
elders I have settled many disputes.
In fact, I am spending more money contrary to the people’s thought that I will
be receiving more. But I must confess that
it shows that what a man can do a woman can also do better. I am the
first Regent in the land and I am
highly supported. My
husband calls me Kabiyesi.
Dressings
When I became the
Regent I then started wearing male’s clothing materials
I have over 200 Yoruba male flowing gowns [agbada],
and many male traditional caps from gombo,
abeti aja, Since I have become a man
then I have to dress and act like one.
Regrets
I have served my people and my conscience is
clear. I want the kingmakers to quickly choose their monarch and for me to go
back to my family. I want to go back to my family . I am missing my family and
children especially.
What pains
me most is the NGO I left behind . I have little time for the NGO , but that
notwithstanding for I still take the sick
to the hospital which I had been doing before I was called to become the Regent. I don’t
like the idea of fighting over the
obaship title , the right family should be installed.
The Onidoani of Idoani [2010-Date.]
Adetutu Atewogboye , Alani of Idoani
‘It has affected my studies’
She is in her early 20s and
a final year student of History. at Adekunle Ajasin
University
I just came to the throne , I was then a student of History Education in 100level
second semester I am now in my final year. She is doing her Teaching practical
at African Comprehensive High School ,
Alagbaka, Akure.
How she is being treated
As a Regent , she is accorded all the respects given to a
king , she said ‘’They respect me in the
class , they treat me like a king and i attend many meetings with the high and
the low in the society. I still mingle with my colleagues in the class But I don’t run around with them again. I am always
decked in coral beads which is the symbol of a King
Constraints
I am restricted to a lot of things especially social life , like the way
I was before
I felt embarrassed
when the elderly people prostrate for me .My first time on the throne was full
of embarrassment as elderly people prostrated for me to greet me
Marriage
The Regent however
prays to marry in the future and says God’s time is the best.
I don’t believe one
should have sex as it has been part of the condition one has to fulfil. I
believe God’s time is the best. Yes, i do have feelings , i am human being but
still I have to wait till when I am
ready’’.
Regrets
The Regent to the The Onidoani of Idoani believes the position of Regency entails a lot of
sacrifices , she said’’ my lecturers quite understand my position and i thank
them for this . On my performance it has affected my Cumulative Grade Point, it is low . But this is my father’s throne and i think it is
part of sacrifice I have to pay for my community and our culture..
Advice to the younger
ones
Atewogboye has this to say ‘’ I could see young girls admiring me and praying
to become a Regent. But let me confess that it is not an easy thing .Before you
know it you would have developed grey
hair because of the stress it involved. It is all by the grace of God’’
Alale of Akungba[2004-Date]Princess Adejoke Adekanye
‘I am
tired of this Regency ‘
Ascension to the throne
The Nation met her in jeans trousers , she was in her shop drawing sketches of some
dressing .She is in her early 30s and contrary to her thought that she would
not spend up to one or two years she is spending more than eight years on the
throne . ‘’I have spent over eight years
as a Regent I became a Regent three months after the demise of my father.
My father died in 2003 December . Three months later, March, I was
enthroned as the Regent’’
According
to her she is the last daughter in the
family ,’’I was picked because my two
elders sisters had married and were not interested in the position .I firstly rejected the offer.
I was used to the palace and closer to the
community, ‘’I became a Regent when my father died and it is over eight years now that no king is
enthroned.
they have
not chosen a candidate,’’
Why she stays in Akure
According
to her , she lives most of her life in Akure, the capital of Ondo state because of her fashion business there. ‘’I live mostly in
Akure because of the fashion house I
have there. I am a trained lawyer , I finished my Law programme two years ago but
have not gone to Law School which I
pray to go later. I used to travel and this does not have any negative effect
,I have chiefs and kingmakers who are on
ground to do most of the things for the town
Anxious to marry
‘’I am still
single. I am not married yet and I hope to marry soon .In fact that is one of
the impediments in this culture thing .We have the rules that one should not
get married while on the throne and should not even give birth to any kid. For
me, I think they should come and have another monarch for me to be set free , to go and get married. There is nothing much to gain in
this position only the respect and honour being accorded to the seat , that
is all’’.
Problems
She is not
free as usual before she assumed the position of Regency. ’’Now, I am restricted from going out , I cannot go to parties as usual .There
are places I cannot go anyhow again. I select where to go. I attend meetings
after meetings .I hardly have time for myself. This Regency is not a
position for a young lady to stay for long , that is why I say they could
cancel it in the future and a time will
come when people will be running away from it. Any lady that thinks of becoming a Regent must be a foolish person ,Before my father
died I never thought of becoming a Regent in my life Any position
that doesn’t make one free is not good for a young
lady. I have gone to them in Akungba to
tell them to either pick another Regent or chose their king ,It is not that the
town is contributing money for me , even the state government is not taking
care of Regent .In a situation where Regents are given 50per cent of
what a monarch earns! I am not making money from the throne’’
Again I should not shake hands with anybody except
the governor or the president and except I stretch my hands.I remember when I
rejected a handshake and I was told that
I was proud. Even Governor Mimiko knows
How I survive
For the Law
trained Regent , she survives through
hard work and with some connections she had .’’I do business, I have a fashion
house , I know people very well , well connected with the rich who will help
and they do help me ‘’
Sex
Oh , that
question I cannot answer .Whether I have sex or not .Please that is personal. I
cannot tell you. But remember that I am a woman being like you.
Mistakes
Though she
said she is cautious but once a while forgets to cover hear head‘’By
tradition Regent should not leave their
head open but there was a time I had
already forgotten that I did not cover
my head ,I had already left the car but I quickly dashed into the car to cover
my head.
Future plans
I read Law from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo state and I completed my programme two years ago. I have not gone to Law School and I do hope to go possibly
when a new king is installed.
Regrets
The trained
lawyer cum fashion designer seems not to
be happy with her single status as she
is staying longer than necessary on the throne , she has this to say ‘’I am not happy for I want a situation where a new King would be installed and I will be free from all these royal
thing. When I was installed I was told that the Regency would not take time and could be say like two or
four years but it eventually extended to over eight years now. There is
controversies over who is to be installed that is why they have not chosen the king. I
want it done as quickly as possible ‘’
The
Odoka of Ogbaro kingdom , Ilaje
Princess Aderonke Ajimisogbe Efurubu(2010-Date)
‘My children call me Daddy’
She is
about 47 years old and a senior Nursing
sister in Ilaje Local government She
says her children call her Daddy..
How she got to the Throne
She got to
the throne on the 6th of
November 2010 after the demise of the
late monarch Oba Anthony Olabode
Koredatomola Ogbaro of Ogbaro Kingdom
who died in July 2, 2010.She said
‘’ my ascension to the throne is through divine intervention. I was not only
the contestant, we are many but I was picked
by the people of the town and highly supported by the chiefs. They
picked me on merit , integrity, respect and dignity .This seat is a revered one
and therefore it is a person of high integrity that they really want to be there. To qualify as a
Regent here one must come from the family of Ogbaro Kingdom
or related to the family. I am
recognized by the state government and they do pay my salary.
New life
She said
she has been living a new life since
she became a Regent ,’’Yes, I wear
male’s clothes. I go about with my whisk and wear cap like a man too. My
children are now calling me ‘Daddy’. My husband supported me and he too greets
me not by prostrating but by rubbing his
hands and would say Kabiyesi .My chiefs would
greet me by using their hands as
if paddling a canoe while some would give an acrobatic display to greet me .My
mother would kneel down to greet me while women too would be on their kneels to
greet me.
Duties
According
to her she had been performing her roles
as a temporary monarch ‘’ I have been
settling disputes among the warring parties in my community with the assistance
of my God given chiefs who are loyal to me .I settle land cases and cases
between husbands and wives’’
Dos and Don’ts
For
the new Regent, she has so many things
to keep away from,’’ It is forbidden for me to go to the market to buy things on my own .I must not eat white snail, and it is forbidden
for me to eat whale and dolphin fishes.
Not only this I must not eat yam unless
it is ordered at the right time.
Fear
According
to her , she nurses no fear whether her husband would have another wife
since she is no longer staying at home like before .’’If my husband marries another
woman I don’t worry since I know I must
not have sex or bear children while on the throne temporarily .’’
Mistakes
It took
her time before she could adjust to
wearing male’s clothes , she said ‘’ I
remember that not once or twice that I would have wore my female’s clothes
before I realized that I am a ‘man’ so I
would go back into my room to change .But now I am used to it. I missed tying
my wrappers ’’
Regrets
I have no
regrets so far, the state government is wonderful and has been paying my salary.
I am recognized by the government
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