An Ifa priest and member of the Oro cult has clarified myths about the Oro deity, stating that the deity does not harm women.
The priest explained that Oro is a community cleansing ritual aimed at banishing negativity and not a violent practice.
The Oro festival is known to be an annual Yoruba tradition celebrated by male descendants in specific communities. The tradition restricts women from being on the streets during the event, following the belief that seeing the deity could bring harm.
However, speaking on Pulse Hot Takes on Tuesday, the priest debunked the belief that Oro kills women, calling it a falsehood that has been repeated until widely believed. He stressed that the Oro deity does not kill women, as many believe.
Quoting him, “The part about Oro killing women is not true. You know, when you tell a lie too many times, it becomes the truth. Oro, according to ancient history and what history has said, is a woman. She is a female deity who does not want to see women, and they should not see her either.”
Explaining further, he said the reason women are usually asked to stay indoors is for their own safety, as some people may take advantage of the festival to harm them.
He added that people with different motives might use the avenue to do negative things and cause havoc because they make announcements all the time.
He also stated that every community has an Oro grove where members go around to make sure that women don’t go outside. They are like security guards.
He claimed there’s no place on earth that does not conduct cleansing rites, even in urban areas, adding that the Oros are never seen because they’re in the grove.
