THE WOMAN WHO WORE THE SACRED CROWN IN ILE IFE


 AARE Crown

The Ooni of Ife is seen as the most supreme or paramount sovereign in Ile Ife, which is regarded as the source of the Yoruba race. Generally, he is recognised by his subjects as their spiritual leader and Chief Custodian of traditions. From ancient times, men have always occupied the revered stool except on few occasions where a woman did occupy the throne. Such was the case of Luwoo who was the 21st Ooni of Ife.  

History has it that Queen Luwoo was a beautiful and elegant queen who took pride in her physical appearance and that of her environment. In her time, she was known to commission unique Yoruba custom of construction of decorative pavements; open-air courtyards paved the pottery shreds. She was said to have put everyone in town to work with their hands to keep the town clean, and even men were not spared, appropriate force was applied to get people to listen and attend to job assigned to them.

It is said that after Queen Luwoo joined her ancestors, the council of Obas vowed never to have another female Ooni because Queen Luwoo was ‘uncontrollable.’

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