Nwoya: On July 24, 2024, the council of elders of Bwobo chiefdom in Nwoya district named the successor to their fallen cultural chief, Rwot Ojok Agianay II. Ojok, 51, died of pneumonia on July 4, 2024, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Gulu City, leaving his royal stool vacant.
In what appears to be a covert ceremony, Ojok’s son, only known as Oyera, was named and installed on the royal throne, succeeding his late father at a young age.
Around 10:05 a.m., journalists, who were invited to cover this cultural rite, were already at Corner Nwoya village in Lungulu sub-county to observe Bwobo Palace’s peculiar royal ceremonial.
It became more questionable from a cultural standpoint after it was discovered that only a few people had gathered to see the function, and during the interaction, the few that did arrive stated that they had not been informed about the event.
Aside from that, a royal stool, which is required for royalties whenever a new chief is enthroned, was not available but was quickly purchased by Anak Twon Council by well wishers to allow these covertly organized rites to take place.
The chiefs who were carried from Gulu city by Rwot Santo Apire to witness the rites were Rwot Alex Odokonyero Opige P’Obol III of Paicho, Rwot Collin Atiko of Patiko, Francis Okello Mawa Omoro, former prime minister of Puranga, and Robert Adongakulu, spokeswoman for the Rwot Apire group, who directed the ritual upon arrival.
The event was secretly orchestrated and masterminded by the section of Rwodi in the Apire group, which is currently claiming the title of Acholi Paramount chief, and their current quandary is whether the faction has the most chiefs.
As soon as the team got to Conner Nwoya from Gulu City, the action of anointing the young child began, and it was done quickly so that other subjects were unaware of it.
However, the rites were interrupted. After several subjects were regarded as invaders, they stormed the event and expressed concerns about the ceremonies, calling them illegal and uncultured.
One enraged man, who refused to give his identity to this publication, explained that “when Rwot dies, the Acholi norm is clear and the process of getting his successor is not rushed, but the royal family is given the grace period to mourn for their fallen Rwot,” in retaliation.
Ajullina Adyero, an elderly woman from the Pamac tribe in Bwobo, presided over the anointment, and she was the one who enthroned the late Ojok Aginya II.
Adyero had packed her requisites. in a plastic bag, sat on the mat put before the council of six elderly men from Bwobo’s nine separate sub-clans, to see how their son was anointed. Adyero extracted sesame oil from a Yellow Movit petroleum jelly container and placed it into the little calabash known as “Awal jok.”
She placed the royal bangle (Ogul mola) wrapped in white paper in the right hand of young Oyera, who sat on a regal stool with his elders and a spear between his legs. She took one leaf of the indigenous tree “Kituba,” which she used repeatedly to spread the sesame oil in the chest. of Oyera three times, calling on the spirit of their ancestor to be happy with Oyera and to keep him growing into a smart and healthy Rwot to lead Bwobo.
Oyera was accompanied by his brother, Salome, and was given a bead in the color of Kenya’s national flag. The bead was placed in his left hand, and he was anointed in the same way as his brother Oyera was.
According to Charles Okello, chairperson of the elder Bwobwo chiefdom’s council, the event was not an enthronement. But it was to endorse their new rwot, “Keto moo, I cwiny rwot.”
“Because he is still a young boy, elders will mentor him. When he matures, the elders will call for his enthronement,” he said.
Okello informed those who opposed the ceremony that they were seeking to seize the royal seat from Aginya’s house, something the elders would not accept.
Okello reveals that one of Ojok’s brothers, who was once summoned to be anointed Rwot but rejected, claiming that he would die, is now confusing the people by declaring that he now wants to be the Rwot and that now that the new Rwot has been anointed, he should halt his actions.
Santus Owar, senior advisor at Ker Kwaro Bwobo, says they will protect the safety of their new head. A gathering of people about to enthrone the chief of Bwobwo.
Rwot Santo Apire of Atiak Chiefdom, who sponsored the occasion, expressed gratitude to Oyera’s mother for accepting his son’s appointment as the new chief of Bwobo Chiefdom.
Following the event, the team packed their luggage and returned to the city.
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