Alaafin receives colourful traditional welcome from Yoruba community in Australia
By Adejayan Gbenga
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, has received a colourful traditional welcome from members of the Yoruba community in Melbourne, Australia, as Nigerians turned out in large numbers to celebrate his arrival.
The monarch was welcomed at Melbourne Airport on Thursday by a crowd of well-wishers, many of whom wore colourful Yoruba traditional attire, including aso-oke, to honour the occupant of the historic Oyo throne.
A video circulating on social media showed the 46th Alaafin walking through the airport’s arrivals hall in a purple embroidered agbada, adorned with coral beads and carrying a traditional staff. Some members of the welcoming party were seen kneeling as he passed, in a gesture of respect traditionally associated with the throne.
Others presented him with bouquets of flowers, while several people used their mobile phones to capture moments of the reception. A woman dressed in matching purple attire was also seen accompanying the monarch as members of the crowd gathered around him to offer greetings.
The reception continued outside the terminal, where a black vehicle was waiting to convey the monarch. A man dressed in striped aso-oke was seen assisting him into the vehicle as other members of the Yoruba community gathered around.
The colourful display of traditional attire and cultural gestures highlighted the attachment of members of the Yoruba diaspora to their cultural heritage and traditional institutions. The practice of kneeling to greet the Alaafin reflects the longstanding Yoruba custom of showing reverence to the occupant of the Oyo throne.
Oba Owoade is the 46th occupant of the Alaafin stool, succeeding the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. He subsequently received his certificate of appointment and Staff of Office from Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
However, details of the purpose of the monarch’s visit to Australia, his scheduled engagements and the duration of his stay were not immediately available as of Thursday.
