Published By Simbo Olorunfemi
The fight between tradition and modernity is an eternal one. It has always been there. It will always be there, even as the ancient becomes renewed and the modern becomes ancient. This is one fight without an end in sight.
But then, what is traditional? What is modern? Who determines what is traditional? Is the traditional so sacrosanct that it must never embrace modernity? Could there be intersection(s) between that which is traditional and that which is modern? Where could that be? Who determines that?
Traditional rulers are supposedly the custodians of tradition. But traditional rulership itself has evolved over time. A whole lot piggybacked on colonialism to redefine it. At some point, the institution did appear to have receded into irrelevance, but over the last few decades as men of money and influence began to take to the thrones, there has been a leap in visibility. The monarchical institution increasingly becoming a cross between plutocracy and aristocracy, as tradition becomes the first casualty.
Looking at the coronation of the Olu of Warri yesterday with the eyes of what had transpired before the ceremony, it was easy to see the struggle between tradition and modernity and why it is a fight without ending. But looking at the ceremony itself, the pomp and circumstance, and all the elements cleverly interwoven to find accommodation, then one is able to see the beautiful intersection between tradition and modernity and the prospects in a thoughtful embrace to navigate our way forward.
Indeed, no better symbol of that intersection between tradition and modenity yesterday than the Olu, Ogiame Atuwatse III. His carriage, sense of occasion, deep understanding of history and capacity to unbundle past events for their symbolism, while leaning on the moment to undo, do, reverse and pronounce, with an eye on the future was a joy to see. The ease with which he seamlessly connected the past with the present and the future was quite telling. His own place as an intersection, linking the Itsekiri, Yoruba and Benin is well understood, but it is his understanding and embrace of that interconnection that is more inspiring.
No one seems to have a greater sense of the symbolism that his ascension of the throne connotes than the King himself. The coincidence of a 21st Olu being installed on the 21st day of the only Saturday that is a 21st in 2021, in the 21st millennium was not one to be ignored. The deliberate switch between ‘We’ and ‘I’, the recall of his geneaology, the emphasis on his title and the confidence with which he decreed and made pronouncements, in full consciousness was a study.
Even with the intricate marriage between modernity and tradition, I knew that some would take the King up on the Chistian worship and Thanksgiving session he led before his speech. I am not surprised that some have taken that lane, in the name of tradition or culture. But the question would always be -‘what tradition? The one that had made connection with European tradition since the 17th century, reflecting in the regalia or crown that some consider wholly indigenous? The tradition that his predecessors had been identified with? Who determines what is tradition?
I doubt that the King who had subjected himself to the traditional process heralding ascension to the throne will not know where the intersection between the traditional and modern is and where to draw the line between his personal faith and the demands of his office. Not only did he declare himself “a firm believer in the intricate interconnectedness between the spiritual and manifestation in the physical”, he asserted his place as the spiritual, political, cultural and traditional ruler of his people. He strikes me as one with adequately prepared for the office, with a deliberate and methodical mind to navigate tradition and modernity.
What really is tradition? Who started the tradition and to what intent? Do the people have a right to overwrite tradition or must they remain captive to what some purport it to be?
As the King says, “Time is a river. Things are intertwined”. That is the way it is between tradition and modenity. It is about finding balance. It takes some courage to take the throne. It takes heart to pursue one’s conviction, faced with the unending struggle between tradition and modernity. Ogiame Atuwatse III says, “our emergence is not simply the filling of a role. We shall be redefining the essence of the throne”. It does look like he will be a consequential King in navigating for the right intersection between tradition and modernity.