Bewaji

the announcement

Under the full moonlight, the night serenaded with joy in the kingdom of Ologundudu.

The royal residence of the palace was crowded with royal chiefs (otun, osi, olukosi, Balogun, iyalode and iyaloja and the members of the King Sijuade's family. They all gathered in the courtroom on his  majesty’s command.

Murmuring and whispers were going on, when his majesty’s presence was announced.

Everyone stood up and paid homage "Kabiesi ooo, Kade pelori, ki Bata Pe lese" they said in unison, the men prostrated and the women knelt down and slightly bowed to the glorious sijuade as he walked in. Dressed in an embroidery Agbada and sokoto made with woven Aso-oke, he wore a beaded crown which covered his face, his neck and wrist were also adorned with five coloured corals bead. He, complimented his royal outfit with a beaded shoe. He made his way to his throne, smiling. As he sat down, he signaled with the irukere (horse tail) in his right hand for everyone to take their seat as well.

The King's Mother Ajiun (ìyá Oba ) and his (Olori)Queen Abefe, also took their seat next to the throne in their fitted aso-oke,Gele and adorned in segilola beads.

The king spoke ; Eseun, Eseun, modupe lowo yin gidi gan fun atileyin yin. Eyin ni eje ki ilu yintumomi Lori, Modupe pe mo pe eyin, esi jemi.

(Thank you, thank you, I appreciate you all for your support, you are the reason this kingdom is still standing and peaceful. I am glad I called you and you answered)

"You must be wondering why I have called this gathering at this hour. Well, as you all know, I have been blessed with three beautiful children: two beautiful princesses, Adetola Adufe and Aderonke Abewaji, and my successor Aremo Adewale.

Without much ado,One of my daughters once again has received a marriage proposal after five years an unfortunate event that shook the whole kingdom took place and made us all devastated.

King Sijuade sigh and looked to his left, where his Queen Abefe sat down. He took her hand in his, and continued,

"Abefe and I have feared the most for our two daughters, but by the grace of Olodumare (God), I am the most honoured and happiest father to have received this good news. 

Oba Sijuade spoke and his eyes swelled with tears due to his excitement, he made everyone emotional as they listened attentively to him.

"You must be surprised to see your king on the verge of shedding tears; you must know that aside my duties as the kabiesi of the Ologundudu kingdom, I have a responsibility towards my children. 

I am happy to tell you that my eldest daughter, Princess Adetola,Adufe Mi, has received a marriage proposal from Prince Aderewaju Olukumi of Egba Kingdom. He has asked our princess Adetola's hand in marriage and in a week's time, the wedding will hold. There will be no delay.

Therefore I want the people of this kingdom to get prepared cause this wedding will be elaborated.

I hope I said well.... king Sijuade ended.

As the king announced the good news, everyone in the royal court roared with noises of congratulations, and their faces beamed with a heartfelt smile.

Olori Abefe burst into tears, she looked at her husband Sijuade who had a beautiful smile plastered on his face. A smile she hasn’t seen for a long time now. She wondered why he had kept this a secret from her perhaps he wanted to surprise her, and sure he did.

Gracefully, she stood up and ran to embrace Princess Adufe. She showered kisses of love as they both shed tears of happiness after such a long time.

Adufe mi, ku orire, Queen Abefe congratulated her.

As the good news was shared and merry making was going on in the court, king Sijuade stood up to attend to other matters and left the court to the women and the chiefs whose hearts couldn’t contain the joy they felt for their princess; after all, they had been given another chance to hold a wedding occasion in the kingdom.

NB: the setting of this story is from the Yoruba people of southwest Nigeria.

So, there will be exploring of Yoruba culture and traditions.

-Oba means King in Yoruba
-Olori means Queen
Sijuade is the name of the king
Abefe is  the name of the Queen
Kabiesi means your majesty
Kade pe Lori, ki Bata Pe lese means  (may the crown be fitted on your head for long and may the shoes stays on your feet for long)

(The royal chiefs consists of
Balogun -the chief of army,
iyalode - minister for internal affairs, iyaloja - chief of market women,
otun,osi,lukosi are the King's advicers)

Irukere -horse tail

Asooke is a woven Yoruba traditional attire

Sègìlola is a blue coloured beads in Yorùbáland worn by monarch

Aremo means the prince.

Eseun means thank you

Adufe mi, ku orire (congratulations to you my Adufe)

-Ade translate to a Crown in yoruba language so in Yoruba culture you are named according to the lineage you came from. Sijuade family are royal that's why Ade is included in every of their children's name.

-Adewale (means the crown has come home) he is the the first born of the king and the crown prince.

-Adetola is the second born of king Sijuade who will be called Adufe throughout the story)

-Aderonke is the last child of Sijuade family( she will be called Bewaji throughout the story)

Oriki in Yoruba culture means (eulogy or praising of one's head) so every children in Yorùbáland is given an oriki name apart from their original name.

Adufe And Abewaji is an oriki name given to the two princess that's why I will be using their oriki name throughout the story

Adufe is the oriki name for princess Adetola the second child

Abewaji is the oriki name for Aderonke who is the last child.

This is my first ever trail story to be published And I welcome critics but please be gentle.

Thank you for reading. Enjoy.