The Morning At Ọyọ
Once again, there was a meeting among the great leaders of the Yoruba empire; the urgent meeting was organised because of the Alaafin of Ọyọ. He had a big announcement to make, an announcement that might change the nature of politics within the empire. All the provincial Ọbas and their resident Baloguns were present. Most kings would find it difficult to attend the meeting, and some might even send a representative to the meeting, but to be absent would be an insult to the Alaafin with the consequence of losing his or her head.
All the provincial leaders sat patiently waiting for the king to reveal himself while casting wary glances at each other, prepared for a kind of challenge from one person or another; the meeting ground might be one where conflict is forbidden, but outside the meeting ground, is another case entirely. The Balogun of Ilu-ina hated the fact that the meeting was called so suddenly but would not dare to question the Alaafin.
"I can feel menace within the air" the Baṣọrun of the Adegunju province observed "I don't like what's about to happen and I sense that we're unable to stop it"
"What is about to happen" the Balogun of Ilu-ina inquired
"I don't know and that is what scares me, during the day the sky is clear, bright and every bird can fly freely but at night the sky is unpredictable and filled with dangers, not all birds can fly under the star-filled sky"
"We'll just have to brave our way through this" she concluded with a half-smile
"Spoken like a true leader" the Baṣọrun of Adegunju province praised
"Thank you," the Balogun of Ilu-ina said, slightly blushing at the compliment; she took the time to look at all those in attendance, hoping to see a familiar face. She noticed some new faces present; most of them had the eyes of one consumed by ambition. The kind of eyes that tell a seasoned leader that they're willing to do anything and kill anyone to achieve their ambition. When you play in the political arena you must be ready to face the consequences that politics has to offer.
The king finally walked into the meeting ground accompanied by 5 of his most loyal Ilaries and 3 of his royal guards. An elderly man bent with age, he wore the royal robes and had the royal crown upon his head. The crown was passed down from the first king of Ọyọ, the great Ọranmiyan grandson of Oduduwa. As the chiefs laid their eyes on the king, they all went flat on their bellies and greeted humbly.
"Ka bi a si ooooo (No one questions you o)" all greeted
"Oba'n ki yin (the king greets you)" the Alaafin responded
The Baṣọrun of Ọyọ walked towards his post by the side of the Alaafin with a sinister smirk on his face, many of the more righteous leaders signed in disgust at the sight of the Baṣọrun of Ọyọ.
"That's one man we will never trust. His feathers will always be as black as his soul" The Baṣọrun of the Adegunju province pronounced
The king suddenly stood up to make his big announcement without waiting for the Yoruba anthem or any of the other formalities usually practised during their meetings.
"Please forgive me for summoning you at such short notice" the Alaafin continued "There has been a recent development and I wish to announce the upcoming festival"
"What is he talking about" one of the elders asked
"He can't be serious" The Baṣọrun of the Adegunju province spouted
"What's going on" the Timi of Ẹdẹ inquired from one of his protectors
"I am hoping he is not going to announce the commencement of that festival," Iba-ayo said
"I am pleased to announce to you that there will be another celebration of the king's silver jubilee" the Alaafin announced "The Bebe festival will commence in the next season, I will send out my Ilaris to each province to give you the requirements of the festival"
"I thought the festival was abolished?" the Awujalẹ of the Ijebus roared in bitterness, "I have no intention of offering the blood of the members of my tribe in such a senseless festival"
"How dare you question the Alaafin" The Baṣọrun of Ọyọ shouted back
The Baṣọrun of the Adegunju province stood up and rapidly walked between the two leaders facing the Baṣọrun of Ọyọ threateningly; the Baṣọrun of Ọyọ recoiled instinctively, but he had a smirk on his face, the king had already made the declaration so he had won. There is nothing anyone can do to remedy the situation.
"He is going to sacrifice my people," the Awujale said in despair, nobody wants to offer his children as a human sacrifice. "I don't like the Bebe festival too much bloodshed"
"My decision is final" the Alaafin pronounced,
The floor was suddenly silent; no one would dare to question the Alaafin, even in his weakened state; the Baṣọrun of the Adegunju province could see in the eyes of the king that something was wrong. The old man is definitely worried about something, but he can't place his finger on it; politics is meant for the strong, not for the feeble; something must be mentally weighing him down.
"Do you think he's under a control chant?" The Balogun of Ilu-ina asked as he sat down beside her
"No," The Baṣọrun of Adegunju replied "but he is under pressure, it's obvious he had no intention of declaring the Bebe festival he has no choice"
"What do we do now?" She inquired
"There is nothing we can do, but I will meet with the king after this meeting and find out why he has made such a rash decision," the Adegunju king replied. "Unfortunately, I might not be able to accompany you back to the village the meet with the Alaafin might be long. The winds of safety will clear your path."
"So," The Alaafin continued, "go and prepare for the festival; my best guards will come to each of your provinces soon. That is all" The way he dismissed the chiefs is different as well and it would be impossible for no one to notice
"Balogun" the Baṣọrun of the Adegunju province called "I will have to leave you for a while, I need to have a personal audience with the king"
"As you wish," the Balogun acknowledged; she observed more than 50 flabbergasted chiefs walk out of the meeting ground, confused by the information they had received. The Bebe festival is an event that leads to both joy and doom for many, a celebration because for the next 2 seasons, goodwill and prosperity would be spread throughout the empire but doom because the rate of human sacrifices would be increased and immediately after the festival the reigning king usually dies within 3 months. The Bẹbẹ festival is the kind of celebration that only happens once in a king's lifetime but was abolished because of the continuous stream of human sacrifices. Why a benevolent leader like the Alaafin, the present reigning king of the Yoruba empire, would make such a decision was strange.
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The king walked into his private champers with a heavy heart; he felt pain in every part of his body; what he couldn't tell was the source of his pain. Is the pain physical or psychological? He cannot tell. How could he be so foolish? How could he make such a foolish decision? And he calls himself the semi-divine king of the Yoruba empire. He now knew that as he aged, he lost his youthful edge, and his aptitude for politics faded away; he should have known that his final act as a benevolent king would be corrupted by a decision he never intended to make.
"Alaafin Oluaṣo the immortal king, forgive me, I was unable to live up to your legacy," the Alaafin said in sadness
"Which means this decision wasn't made by you," the Baṣọrun of the Adegunju province voiced calmly as he walked into the royal chambers, "So tell me what happened"
"I lost my edge" the Alaafin replied, "Sit down and I'll explain"
No one is indeed allowed in the king's chambers, the Baṣọrun of the Adegunju province was an exception. It is not the first time he's been allowed into the king's private chambers; usually, he simply sneaks in at a time of his pleasing. The palace guards would have been alarmed by the frequent intrusion of the Adegunju, but the Baṣọrun had proved time and time again how loyal he was to the king; should the king command him to commit suicide, he would do so gladly.
"Sit down," the Alaafin commanded "I have a new set of orders for you and I'm not sure I'll be alive by the end of the festival"
The Baṣọrun walked over to the entrance of the chambers and sealed the door shut. He sealed the windows as well, and then, he did something surprising: he lifted the chant that concealed his identity. The Alaafin watched in amazement as the shadow-like substance faded away, revealing the man hidden beneath; he would never have guessed that this was the true nature of the Adegunju covenant.
"So, this is the true form of the Adegunju" the Alaafin observed, "Thank you for sharing this secret with me"
The Baṣọrun bowed in humility and then sat on the stool closest to the king's bed, awaiting the king's orders.
"I hereby release you from my service" the king pronounced
"But my king…" the Baṣọrun protested but then sealed his mouth shut.
"Be silent, I have not finished" the Alaafin rebuked sharply, "I will soon pass on to join my ancestors and when that is done you must know exactly what to do"
"As you wish my king"
The Alaafin began issuing his orders, ensuring that the empire would remain peaceful after his passing; no one dared to walk into Alaafin's chambers without permission, not even the Olosi, the Alaafin's most faithful servant. As the Alaafin passed on his legacy to the Baṣọrun, his soul poured out as well. He pointed out his mistakes and some of his greatest regrets. The Baṣọrun remained silent, quietly paying attention to the words of his king, knowing that this would be the last time he will be in his presence.
"They had plotted my downfall from the very beginning" he continued "They had one of my concubines drug my drink then they made me swear by the name of the gods to approve the Bẹbẹ festival"
"The festival is a way for them to arrange your death" the Baṣọrun observed "So there is a spy in the palace, do you want me to have your concubine punished"
"Don't worry about that" the Alaafin assured, "She is expected to kill herself at the moment of my death so her punishment will come due"
Thus, they continued chatting into the night, sharing a bond that, even though it exists for the moment, would be remembered for a lifetime.