17th of May, 2013, a king dies in a remote town in Oyo State, South Western Nigeria. Almost as soon as the news goes out there is palpable fear amongst the residents of the town especially non indigenes. A self imposed curfew becomes the most advisable thing to do for the residents.
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| An Oba |
The reason: The Oba (the vernacular for a king in this part of Nigeria) as part of an age long tradition must be buried with the heads of some unlucky victims. Most times the victims are believed to be non indigenes and unsuspecting travellers who happen to be passing through the area at the time of the head hunt. And the number of victims (not that it really matters or makes any difference) are never disclosed. How barbaric! And in the 21st century?! Little wonder a lot of unsolved missing persons cases exist in this region.
It is more disturbing that this act of gross barbarism under the guise of customs and traditions is welcomed even by the educated and elite of the region who otherwise should have spoken out against it. And to think the practice is carried out also in developed cities like Lagos (a sprawling metropolis in the region) where the traditional institution holds sway despite the vast number of people from different parts of the world resident there is to say the least most absurd.
It is high time this is called what it is: BARBARISM, not custom/tradition and done away with in the interest of all concerned.
