As you read this, all Ijebu sons and daughters all over the world are preparing to converge in Ijebu-Ode to celebrate the 2023 Ojude Oba Festival. It promises to be grand. It will hold at the end of next month.
Already, the over 58 age-grade groups, made up of about 40 members each, are going to be attired in expensive Aso Ebi made of high-grade Damask, Laces, Aso Oke that they will wear at the event.
Already, all the big hotels in and around Ijebu-Ode are being booked. Why this year’s event is going to be huge is because a lot more people will be attending. Before last year’s event, the festival was not been held for 2 years prior, because of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Already,all the Regberegbe(age grade groups) have picked the colours and types of fabrics to wear at this year’s Ojude Oba.
Let’s quickly tell you more about this glamorous annual festival that attracts over 20,000 Ijebus families and friends. The Annual Ojude Oba Festival is a very spectacular celebration of the Ijebu of South West Nigeria, which took its origin in Islam but is now being celebrated by all and sundry, that is, Muslims, Christians, Traditionalists and Non-Believers.
This age-long cultural heritage of the Ijebu has been in existence for centuries. The Festival is a classic example and manifestation of religious tolerance in Ijebuland.
History has it that upon the advent of Islam in Ijebuland, the reigning monarch prevailed on his subjects to give those professing the new religion (Islam) the latitude to operate according to the dictates of their belief. In other words, there should be neither war nor rancor in religious matters. Basking on this clement environment, the emerging Islamic Community after observing the Eid-el-Adha, which included the exchange of gifts and the slaughtering of the sacrificial rams came out on the third day to pay homage to the reigning monarch and to thank him for his
kindness, accommodation and the religious liberty he gave them. As time went by, this tradition metamorphosed into what is now known as Ojude Oba Festival and has been embraced not only by Ijebu at home and in the Diaspora but also by millions of people within and outside Nigeria.
The festival is, indeed, the gift of the Ijebu Nation to Nigeria and the rest of the world is a unique case study in religious tolerance, co-existence and harmony.
The reigning monarch, Alaiyeluwa, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who was crowned on April 2, 1960, has succeeded in making the festival a Global Brand. The Festival is not only all about the equestrian display by the families of warriors who defended the Ijebu nation in the years of yore against any military expenditure and or war, a parade of culture and tradition, merry-making and funfair. It also provides the Ijebu people and visitors, and their well-wishers the opportunity to supplicate to the Almighty God, take stock of their activities, embark on self-help projects, and reunite with family members and acquaintances. In addition, this festival boosts commerce and trade in its entirety, as commercial and trading activities are at their peak before, during and after the festival. The Festival touches every sphere of life in Ijebuland. All the facilities (hotels, restaurants, etc.), artisans, craftsmen, transporters, professionals, market men and women, among others are fully occupied before, and during the festival.
The years event will hold 2 days after the Eid-el-Adha, that is, Ileya.
The Theme chosen for the 2022 edition of the festival after a robust discussion was “THE RETURN OF THE OJUDE OBA”. The theme was borne out of the inability of the Festival to hold for two consecutive years, that is, in 2020 and 2021 due to the prevalence of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, which held the entire world hostage as all social and economic activities were
severely affected, hence the prohibition of mass gathering in all public places. The impressive management of the pandemic by the three tiers of government (Federal, State and Local) has culminated in the lifting of the ban on social gatherings by the government, although it is not yet Uhuru (complete freedom from the scourge), hence we are now afforded the opportunity to commence the hosting of the annual festival. The choice of the 2022 Theme: THE RETURN OF THE OJUDE OBA FESTIVAL is, therefore, apt and relevant. Last year’s edition, after two years of the festival being in limbo was indeed a GRAND RETURN OF OJUDE OBA.The theme for this year’s Ojude Oba will soon be released.
Let’s tell you more. The story of Ojude dates back very many years. In the pre-colonial era, the Age Grade system was the focus of development and socialisation in Ijebuland. The Age Grade System of Ijebuland has now been rejuvenated, rebranded and internationalised in the last four decades under the leadership of Oba (Dr.) S. K. Adetona, CFR,J.P.
Ogbagba II, Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.
Next month, when it holds about 58 male and female Age Grades will be on parade. The first position in each category is usually awarded a gold-plated trophy and a cash prize, while the first runner-up and second runner-up are also rewarded with cash prizes, courtesy of the main Sponsor, Globacom – the Telecommunication Giant. There would be about 8 Age Grades that would be making their debut.
Ojude-Oba, in its present form, dates back to the Imagbon War with the British in 1892, the latter part of the nineteenth century. The intrusion of foreign influence into Ijebuland resulted in the social, cultural and religious mix which formed the basis of the spectacle. The historical antecedent is the annual outings of the Age-Grades (Regberegbe). It is a special occasion when they show off their mettle to the critical appraisal of society. They dance around the town and pay homage to the Awujale at the palace. For example, there was the Ajulo outing by the Obafowora Age Group which had among its membership prominent personalities like Chief T.A. Odutola, the late Ogbeni-Oja of Ijebuland, Alhaji Adesoye Onasanya, the then Balogun of Ijebu-Ode, Pa. Mustapha Are, Dugbe of Idepo Dawodu, etc. Pa. A.G. Ijale was their Baba Egbe (Grand Patron). After conversion to Islam, many influential Muslims went to the praying ground on horse-backs. Reacting to the Imagbon defeat, much influential youth within the community used Islam as a weapon of resistance. They appointed Balogun for the Muslims among them to counter the influence of the Balogun appointed by the colonialists. The first of such Muslim Balogun (war commander) was Balogun Salami Amoke-Oja, a child of the reigning Ijebu General Balogun Onafowokan-Otubu who was the last fighting general of the overall Ijebu Armed Forces. His command permeated the Ijebu Kingdom including Remo.
Seriki Kuku was appointed by the British as the Balogun of ljebu-Ode which is still the nerve centre of the Ijebu people after the Imagbon War. These leaders and other notables within the Ijebu-Ode community who had converted to Islam started going to the praying ground on horseback. In rivalry, the Christians made Osibogun, a grandson of Balogun Onafowokan their own Balogun. He went about town on horseback during Christmas. Some believed that the pageantry was a colonial concoction for the populace to let off steam at Ojude-Oba, the event is celebrated on the third day after Eid-il-Kabir, to pay homage and show respect to the Royal Majesty, the Awujale of Ijebuland. The Ijebu Traditional Council and other factors might have contributed to this. The colonialists also encouraged such pageantry. On the days, merriment is at its peak in Ijebu-Ode. The Awujale is the Chief Host of the occasion. It does not matter whether the Oba is of other religious persuasions. The Awujale and his guests usually arrive the palace ground early in the morning. The ceremony starts immediately.
The age grades are usually present in their distinctive and fashionable attires. They usually wear the same materials as the group. The materials are specially chosen for the occasion and could be used for any subsequent outing by the group. A great pride it is for the age groups to be able to come out in new attires every year. There is healthy competition among the peer groups and individuals within the groups and the society at large.
Other clubs and associations in Ijebuland also pay homage to the Awujale (the king). Notable families and personalities also take part in the activities even if they do not ride horses. They parade around the town. Chiefs of whatever persuasion are at their conspicuous best at this time. They act as hosts to many guests, clubs and associations.
Some individuals put on the latest fashion in native, national, continental and international wear. Others show their affluence in expensive clothes and accessories like necklaces, rings, trinkets, shoes, caps, spectacles etc. Ijebu do save for this outing for a long time, a year or more. Most try to buy quality materials that would be durable. This made some purchase historical references and they become relics, heirlooms, antiquity, etc. There is a strong feeling of money in the air. It is time of meeting up with the Joneses, and of course, the greatest in Ijebuland. On an individual or family basis, the pageantry starts a day earlier. On the second day after Eld-Kabir (Ileya), members of the family and their guests would go out at night with their drummers. They go about houses of prominent members of their family.
All members of the age groups, clubs and associations, guests and spectators would have been on their seats before the arrival of the Awujale. The people pledge their allegiance to the sovereign in a song titled “Oba oni inu ire” meaning the monarch with good intentions. After this, the Awujale would address the gathering. He would talk on current issues concerning his kingdom and Ijebu-Ode in particular. After the brief address, the carnival proper starts by calling on the Regberegbe (Age-groups) to present themselves to the sovereign. Gifts are exchanged between them and the Kabiyesi.
Other associations are also called upon to present themselves. The horse riders and the families are then called upon. In this, seniority is the basis of the applicable protocol.
The children of Balogun Onafowokan Otubu are usually the first to be presented among warrior families and their leaders. Lastly, the current Balogun would present his troupe. Prostration is the approved mode of greeting the Oba.
The palace ceremony usually ends around two O’clock (2 pm) in the afternoon. The people disperse onto the streets and entertainment centres. Usually, more people are on the streets than those that witness the palace ceremony.
A lot of entertainment goes on. Music either by live bands or electronics reverberates all over the town. Other cultural groups acting independently parade the streets entertaining on-lookers. Many marriage contacts are initiated during the carnival.
It is after the Ijebu Ode Ojude-Oba the Ojude-Oba in other parts of Ijebuland begins. This is because most of the Ijebu Obas are members of the Regberegbe groups in Ijebu-Ode.
Stay tuned for more gists on this year’s Ojude-Oba in CityPeople Daily edition.
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