A post on Facebook claimed that a white goat in an image taken at the proclamation of Prince Charles as the King of England was meant for sacrifice.
The post, which was shared on a Facebook page with the name APGA Interactive Forum (AIF Media), on Wednesday, September 15, added that such practice would be criticised if it happened in Africa.
“This is the British carrying a white ram (intended for sacrifice) for the crowning and declaration of Prince Charles as King of England.
“This is their ancient tradition and culture (Ọdịnaanị na Omenaanị as we call it).
“If this was an African king or Ìgbò chief, our brainwashed Christian brethren will call it idol worship, worshipping Alusi, and paganism.
“These are the same people that brought you the ‘church’ and told you that your ways were evil. They deceived you to abandon your ancient ways, only for them to hold unto their own.
“See them celebrate their own with pride. Africa wake up.
~ Chuka Nduneseokwu,” the post read.
THE CLAIM
The photo of a white goat at the crowning of Prince Charles as King of England was for sacrifice.
THE FINDINGS
Findings showed that the claim is FALSE.
The Fact-CheckHub conducted a Google reverse image search on the image, revealing that the goat image had been featured on some websites before now.
For instance, KhaleejTimes, ITV and The Australian had earlier reported about the goat, a mascot named Lance Corporal Shenkin IV, a member of the Third Battalion of The Royal Welsh.
“As Charles was officially proclaimed King in Wales, the marching Third Battalion of The Royal Welsh had a unique member among their ranks – a goat,” Khaleej Times reported.
Further findings revealed that Shenkin IV of the Third Battalion of The Royal Welsh gets a salary, a rank and a regiment number.
What you need to know about Lance Corporal Shenkin IV.
According to The Royal Welsh Museum, The Royal Welsh has a history of having a mascot.
The mascots are often given the traditional names of Dewi, Taffy, Shenkin, and Sospan.
Just like humans who are soldiers, official mascots have a regimental number and rank. They can also be promoted and demoted, and they receive a salary.
Their salary often goes towards uniforms, accommodation (which often includes a radio and a sofa), and food.
The Royal Welsh have been adopting goats as their mascots since 1775, and each goat has a unique history of how they were acquired.
The museum states, “At the Battle of Bunker Hill, during the American War of Independence (1775-1783), it is thought that a wild goat came onto the battlefield and led the colour party from the field. The Royal Welsh Fusiliers then adopted the goat as their mascot as it brought them good luck.”
It adds that when a mascot dies, the regiment will write to the Queen (or King) informing her of the loss, and requests permission to recruit a new mascot, a tradition that started with Queen Victoria.
The next kid goat is selected and trained by the Goat Major.
“This is a special relationship and a full-time role, for the Goat Major requiring grooming, exercising, and training the kid on a daily basis,” the museum states.
Lance Corporal Shenkin IV was recruited and trained in 2018, following the death of Lance Corporal Gwilliam Taffy VI Jenkins.
THE VERDICT
The photo of a white goat at the crowning of Prince Charles as King of England was, therefore, NOT for sacrifice. The goat is a mascot named Shenkin IV, a member of the Third Battalion of The Royal Welsh.
Republished from The FactCheckHub.
'Niyi worked with The ICIR as an Investigative Reporter and Fact-checker from 2020 till September 2022. You can shoot him an email via [email protected]. You can as well follow him on Twitter via @niyi_oyedeji.
Job well done. The cheap assertion that it was a goat meant for royal ritual was down right embarrassing: to our collective african common sense. The most effective blow against the destiny of an oppressed people is the destruction of their capacity for logical thought progression. Niyi’s brilliant report properly informs, but more importantly it salvages our collective dignity.
Your desperation is very scary. You are the reason Africa remains divided and you definitely fall on the side of the coloniser. Very disturbing how you rise up an African man to tell Africans this hogwash
Are you looking for a position in the British agencies? Only a fool will give this stupid narrative. Your desperation is very scary. You are the reason Africa remains divided and you definitely fall on the side of the colonisers
Are you looking for a position in the British agencies? Only a fool will give this stupid narrative. You are a proper arse leaker
Perfect deduction…
What is the idea behind recruiting a goat to be a member of the military? Good luck according to you abi? That is ritualism. Or can we argue it further?