Jah.Staying.Educated ☥ Δ "Human beings in a mob. What's a mob to a king? What's a king to a God? What's a God to a non-believer? - Kanye West
The king is a symbol of divine Providence. In places where kingship retains its integrity, people have faith in the sacred relationship between the monarch and his subjects. The very existence of the state affirms Olodumare's favor and protection. As such, the king is the custodian of all powers, including military, political and spiritual. This is why the elders say 'the king owns the land and all of the people of the land'. Loyalty is thus defined in absolute terms. Betrayal was prosecuted in extreme measures. At the same time, the people enjoyed total protection by the king. In Abeokuta, for example, when entering the Alake's presence, the people - particularly the accused - traditionally cried out, 'I prostrate before thee, Alake! Oh king, save and deliver me! " Then, they would run to embrace a pillar in the courtyard until the king announced it was safe to release the pillar. After that point, should the Alake rescue them, nobody should harm them for any offence. To be a pillar-embracer was to be redeemed! Not only that, people afflicted with every post of deformity found refuge in the palace. Consequently, the elders say that 'rúwàrúwà nile oba' which means 'assorted types of people abound in the king's residence.' Like the house of Ifá as well as Obatala, the palace is synonymous with protective space. The palace is a sanctuary and the king a purveyor of good care.
Thus, leadership is service. As Olodumare entrusts the king with custodianship of the land, so has he empowered you to take your divine place as a caregiver to those you serve. This is what it means to live the medicine."
