Alaafin: Why I Have Many Wives

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has revealed why he has many wives.

According to Oba Adeyemi who clocked 80 recently, Alaafin has responsibilities which go beyond what you see in the public.

In an interview with Nigerian Tribune, explained that each wife has specific duty and obligation in the palace.

Speaking about why he invited one of his wives to perform the panegyrics of Sango at Ajayi Crowther University, the monarch noted that “Alaafin as custodian of Yoruba cultural heritage, you should know what you are talking about. You should know what it means. What I did was not new to Olori because the panegyric she did is in her. She is a graduate. She first studied Yoruba. After graduation I asked her to return to the University to study Law. She graduated with a Second Class Upper. This telling you how intellectual she is.

“Didn’t you feel proud as a son of Yoruba? That is what Alaafin symbolizes. Preservation of the totality of Yoruba culture—from language to greetings to ethics to dressing and food— is Alaafin’s business. What you saw in her should give you an idea on the role Alaafin’s wives play in the palace. The Oloris serve as complements in preservation of Yoruba culture.

“Don’t forget that you are talking of Alaafin. Alaafin has responsibilities which go beyond what you see in the public. As I said earlier, each wife has a specific duty and obligation in the palace. Can you imagine what happens to this big palace if it is not adequately habited? Alaafin must live his status. It is not about social role, it is more than that. But it is not everything Alaafin must put on the pages of newspapers?,” he added.