Life in the palace is an interesting thing when one considers what one has to go through to make the day a success.
The Osi-Efa is central to the daily activities in the Palace. He is expected to be near the Alaafin at all the times. He indeed has free access to every part of the Palace, including the quarters where the Alaafin’s wives live.
At 4 am every morning, the Koso drums begin to sound to wake the king every morning. The Koso drum starts to sound that early and it is used to praise the past Alaafin and the reigning one.
After the Koso drum, every member of the Palace comes to greet the Alaafin “Kaa Ode Aaro” ( Ode Aaaro Courtyard) irrespective of whether Alaafin is seated or not.
The chiefs also come personally or send their servants to the Ode Aaro Courtyard every morning to pay homage to The Alaafin, The homage by all residents of the Palace is paid early in the morning before anybody settles to the day’s business.
The Ode Aaro, which translates as Morning Courtyard is a large courtyard. The Ayabas (Alaafins wives) are not left out of this exercise but their homage is paid at the Okoto courtyard instead of the Ode Aaro, The Alaafin may be there or not to receive their homage. It is however not a collective exercise for the Ayabas, rather each Ayabas may go on her own to pay the homage but it must be done before she settles for the day’s activities.
The homage by the male residents of the Palace is usually done by prostrating once and then praying for the long life and peaceful reign of The Alaafin. The Princes and Princesses who are in the town also pay homage too.
The chiefs pay homage to the Alaafin every morning by prostrating 3 times and praying for the peaceful reign of the king.
The Ayabas (king’s wives) pay their homage by kneeling in the traditional way called “IYIKA” which is peculiar to them.
During this homage, the Kabiesi if seated “does not have to respond” to all the greetings but others around him will respond on his behalf by saying “ A ni e fo re” (you spoke well).
The older Ayabas are mainly wives of the past Alaafins. They are allowed to come back to live in the Palace after husbands demise and the ascension of another Alaafin, if they so desire. They remain recognized as wives of the reigning Alaafin and they automatically become his responsibilities.
They have the sole responsibilities of training the wives of the reigning Alaafin, showing them what to do, as well as the norms and traditions of the Palace.
The Older Ayabas do their cooking and rotational basis and distribute between themselves and the entire Palace.
The younger Ayabas are the wives of the reigning Alaafin. They do their cooking in their separate apartments for themselves and their children.
The Alaafin appoints any of the Ayabas to make his meal as he pleases but not on rotational basis..
It is forbidden to say “The Alaafin is eating”. Rather it is said in a special way-‘Baba n kose”.
It is also forbidden to say “The Alaafin is asleep”. It is instead said as “baba wo ala”. When the Alaafin eats, the food may be presented to him by one, two or more Ayabas.
These Ayabas or set of Ayabas ministering food to the Alaafin must not look up to see him eating. Hence they kneel with their faces down. When the Alaafin coughs, anyone around him either beats their chest with their hands three times or claps three times.
Bata drummers have their place in the Palace called “Ode Onilu” which translates as The Drummers courtyard. They stay in this place and beat the bata drum to relay messages to the Alaafin and his Ayabas. Their messages might be to indicate that a visitor is around, and which type of visitor it is. They basically talk through their drums.
Courtesy: Iya Agunpopo Oyo
ASA ORISA ALAAFIN OYO
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