CULTURE WATCH: ODE-OMI DAUGHTERS AND WHY THE TRADITION OF OFFERING A DOG STILL MATTERS 

In Ode-Omi kingdom, our ancestors left us traditions that are more than just rites. They are protection, identity, and covenant. One of such sacred traditions is the offering of a dog to "EMINALE" during the payment of bride price for any daughters of Ode-Omi

WHAT IS THE EMINALE RITES? 

In our culture, when a suitor comes to marry a daughter of Ode-Omi, part of the bride price includes presenting a dog to our gods, "EMINALE".

Elders say this rite is not ordinary. It is a spiritual covering

WHY IT IS DONE 

According to our custodians of tradition, the dog offered to EMINALE serves three (3) important purposes

1. Protection: It protects the woman from evil and bad things that may happen to her in her husband's house or family 

2. Defense: It shields her from enemies who may wish her harm in her new home 

3. Covenant: It marks her as a daughter of Ode-Omi, under the watch of our gods and ancestors, wherever she goes.

The Dog is not for food. It is a sacrifice and a symbol to the gods that this daughters must be protected 

In recent years, many young couples and families are skipping this important rite. Some say "Times have changed" or "We are now in church/mosque". But our elders warn that forgetting this is like sending a daughter out without spiritual armor.

In olden days no Omi son or daughter had the sickness called Stroke, and no daughters of ours, fight and leave their husband house or being harmed and this traditional rite is the one protecting and guarding our daughters 

A community elder who spoke to Odogbo Network Media said: When we do things the way our fathers did, our daughters are safe. Culture is not backwardness. It is our security system.

A CALL TO REMEMBER 

As we modernize, Odogbo Network calls on all sons and daughters of Ode-Omi, our Chiefs, Religious leaders and Families to remember and uphold this sacred rite. Let us not allow the wisdom of our ancestors to die. Let us teach our children so that every Ode-Omi woman, wherever she marries, walks with the blessing and protection of her land.

Ode-Omi is our root. Our culture is shield