Dead Ooni of Ife’s wives must never marry again

As a show of respect, all five wives of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, would have to mourn their late husband for an entire year.
A member of the royal family in a telephone conversation with The Punch Newspaper, explained that all the wives of the departed monarch were barred by Ife tradition not to speak to journalists for one year after the death of the king.
“The wives cannot talk to the press within one year of the monarch’s death. They cannot even attend flamboyant parties or events. There’s nothing the wives can do about that.
“After six months of mourning, the wives can attend low-key parties organised by close relatives. The family member has to be very close for the wives to attend,” the source said.
Sijuwade, who passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2015, at the age of 85 years is survived by his wives, Morisola, Ladun, Odunayo, Adedolapo and Linda and their ages are between 40 and 60.
Sijuwade’s first wife, olori Yetunde, the mother of the first son, Adetokunbo, died some years ago.
It will be recalled that shortly after the transition of the monarch, a palace chief, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, had said the wives cannot remarry.
The chief said Ife tradition forbids the wives of a departed Ooni from remarrying because the Ooni never dies.
“The Ooni lives on; he doesn’t die. He only transits to a higher realm. This is why his wives

cannot remarry,” the chief said.