Olojo festival

The Ọlọ́jọ́ Festival is an ancient festival celebrated annually in Ilé-Ifẹ̀, Osun State, Nigeria.[1] It is one of the popular festivals in the Yoruba land, and was once described by Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi as a festival that celebrates the Black race all over the world.[2] The Yoruba word 'Ọlọ́jọ́' means 'The Day Of The First Dawn' that describes the grateful heart of man towards God's creation and the existence of Human.[3] [4] The Ọlọ́jọ́ Festival is a culture festival in the calendar of the Ilé-Ifẹ̀, Osun State which is located in the Southwestern part of Nigeria.[5][6] It is the celebration of the remembrance of “Ògún”, Òrìṣà of Iron, who is believed to have cleared the path at the dawn of creation for the Irúnmọlẹ̀, including Odùduwà, progenitor of the Yorùbá people.[7] The festival is held annually in October.[8] It is one of the biggest festival on the culture calendar of llé-Ifẹ̀.[9]

on-going session of Olojo Festival at Ile Ife in 2020

Ritual

On this day, the Ọọ̀ni (king of Ifẹ̀) appears after seven days of seclusion and denial, communing with the ancestors and praying for his people. This is to make him pure and ensure the efficacy of his prayers. Before the Ooni emerges, women from his maternal and paternal families sweep the Palace, symbolically ridding the Palace of evil.[2][3]

The Ooni later appears in public with the Arè crown (King’s Crown), which is believed to be the original crown used by Oduduwa to lead a procession of traditional Chiefs and Priests to perform at the Shrine of Ògún. The next stage of the ceremony is to lead the crowd to Òkèmògún’s shrine. Here he performs duties including the renewal of oath, divination for the Ọọ̀ni at the foot of Oketage hill by Àràbà Awo (Chief Priest), as well as visiting places of historical importance.[10]

At the shrine, the traditional Chiefs with the swords of office marked with chalk and cam wood, appear in ceremonial attire and dance to rhythms from Bembe, a traditional drum. The style of drum and singing for each Chief is different. Only the Ọọ̀ni can dance to the drum called Osirigi.

The Ifá Festival is a seven-day festival that takes place every year on the first Saturday in June. Ifá (also known as Ọ̀rúnmìlà) is a deity oracle and one of the Yorùbá people's most important deities. The first day of the festival includes rituals such as Ìjáwé Ifá Ooni (leaf picking for Ọọ̀ni's oracle) and Arisun Idana Afin (a culinary vigil at the palace), while the second day is dedicated to Bíbọ Ifá Ọọ̀ni (sacrifice for Ọọ̀ni's oracle). The third and fourth days are dedicated to Awo Olójú mẹ́rìndínlógún performing rites (a cult with sixteen faces). A public lecture and roundtable discussion on 'women in Ifá,' as well as a performance of rituals by a priest named Àràbà Àgbáyé, took place on the fifth day. The great climax, which begins on Saturday and lasts until early the next day, includes ìwúre (blessings/prayer) by Àràbà Awo Àgbáyé (backbone of the universe) and other Àràbà, as well as the feeding of Ifa and the crafting of the year's divination.[11]

Ọlọ́jọ́ has remained popular in Ilé-Ifẹ̀ because of its myth and history. It connotes the day in the year specially blessed by Olódùmarè (the creator of the Universe). Ọlọ́jọ́ can also be literally translated as the "Owner for the day". Prayers are offered for peace and tranquility in Yorùbá and Nigeria. All age groups participate. Its significance is the unification of the Yorùbá.

Tradition holds that Ilé-Ifẹ̀ is the cradle of the Yorùbá, the city of survivors, spiritual seat of the Yorùbá, and land of the ancients.

References
  1. "Ooni, Aregbesola, Alabi promote culture at Olojo festival". Punch Newspapers. 2022-09-25. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
  2. "Olojo Festival … Grand celebration of rich Yoruba cultural heritage". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2018-11-17. Retrieved 2021-08-07.
  3. "Ife begins Olojo Festival as Ooni enters 7-day seclusion". 2020-09-21. Retrieved 2021-08-07.
  4. "Olojo Festival … Grand celebration of rich Yoruba cultural heritage". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2018-11-17. Retrieved 2021-08-07.
  5. Akintonde, Oluwasola (2022-12-15). "Former Osun State Governor Denies Loan Allegations By Incumbent Governor". Voice of Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
  6. "Olojo festival: Celebrating the dawn of creation in Ile-Ife". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2021-08-07.
  7. "Olojo festival: Celebrating the dawn of creation in Ile-Ife". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2021-08-07.
  8. "Osun to build Yoruba museum in Ife, as Ooni emerges from seclusion". Vanguard News. 2020-09-26. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  9. "Olojo Festival Osun State :: Nigeria Information & Guide". www.nigeriagalleria.com. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
  10. Ihejirika, Uzoma (2021-07-09). "Olojo Festival". Folio. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  11. "Ifa Festival, Ile-Ife Osun State of Nigeria :: Nigeria Information & Guide". www.nigeriagalleria.com. Retrieved 2021-07-31.
  • Olubunmi, A.O. The Rise and Fall of The Yoruba Race 10,000BC-1960AD, The 199 Publishing Palace ISBN 978-2457-38-8
  • On Ijesa Racial Purity, The 199 Publishing Palace ISBN 978-2458-17-1
  • Akinjogbin, I. A. (Hg.): The Cradle of a Race: Ife from the Beginning to 1980, Lagos 1992 (The book also has chapters on the present religious situation in the town).
  • Bascom, William: The Yoruba of Southwestern Nigeria, New York 1969 (The book mainly deals with Ife).
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