A prominent Nigerian advocate and former senator, Shehu Sani, has intensified calls to end controversial rituals tied to royal succession ceremonies in parts of the country, urging communities to disentangle cultural heritage from what he describes as “barbaric” traditions. His remarks follow reports of a centuries-old practice where incoming monarchs in certain regions are required to consume the heart of their deceased predecessor before assuming the throne.
Sani, known for his outspoken views on social reform, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express optimism that such customs are gradually being abandoned. “Many traditional institutions are dropping fetish practices linked to royal successions,” he wrote, referencing a specific community in central Nigeria where the ritual once prevailed. “I hope they have stopped. We must separate culture from barbarity,” he emphasized, sparking widespread debate over the preservation of tradition versus modern ethical standards.
The discussion coincides with the recent burial of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the late Awujale of Ijebuland, a revered Yoruba monarch who died at 91. His interment in Ijebu Ode followed Islamic rites, deviating from customary practices often overseen by local traditionalists. Reports confirm that Muslim clerics conducted the burial, while security personnel restricted access to members of the Osugbo cult—a group historically involved in royal ceremonies. The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, praised the streamlined process, calling it a “dignified” departure from rituals perceived as outdated.
While Sani did not specify the communities still adhering to contentious rites, his remarks highlight a broader tension between Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity and evolving societal norms. Anthropologists note that rituals like symbolic heart consumption historically symbolized the transfer of power and wisdom but now face scrutiny for their graphic nature and ethical implications. Advocates of reform argue that modernization does not require discarding tradition altogether but rather reinterpreting it to align with contemporary values.
The debate has drawn mixed reactions, with some traditional leaders defending cultural sovereignty and others acknowledging the need for cautious evolution. As Nigeria navigates the interplay between heritage and progress, incidents like Adetona’s burial underscore the gradual shift toward practices deemed more inclusive and respectful of individual dignity, signaling a potential turning point in the nation’s cultural narrative.
