Elesin Oba Timeline and Summary

Elesin Oba enters the market on the day of his king's burial. He knows that tradition demands that he commit suicide and join his king in the afterlife.
However, the local British authorities get wind of the plan and resolve to stop him. Although the women of the market are successful in getting Amusa, a member of the "native police," to go away, Simon Pilkings (the local District Officer) ends up successfully stopping the ritual before it is complete. So Elesin lives, much to his displeasure and embarrassment—oh, and the anger of his community.
Pilkings locks Elesin up in the Residency cellar, which used to house enslaved people. Iyaloja goes there to see Elesin, taunting him for his failure to fulfill his duty.
Olunde's body is delivered to Elesin—it seems he decided to sacrifice himself since his father wasn't able to.
Seeing his son's body, Elesin strangles himself with his chains before anyone can stop him. It's unclear if either sacrifice has righted the cosmic wrong caused by Elesin's initial failure.