At Olojo Festival, South/Africa monarch urges unity among Africans

The crowd was ecstatic as they pushed forward to have a glimpse of the Ooni of Ife’s emergence from seclusion after seven days with the crown, Ade Aare (Aare crown).

The grand finale of the celebration of Olojo Festival held on September 30 was the day Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, performed the sacred pilgrimage to Oke Mogun in Ile-Ife with the ancient Aare crown on his head. Aare is the oldest and most sacred crown in Yoruba land and some hold the belief that it is the the oldest crown in the world.

It is a taboo to put the crown on twice, as a matter of fact, no King in Ife history has done that. Interestingly, once the King is about to come out with the Aare crown, it will become cloudy. Immediately he stepped out, it will become sunny. It is also a taboo that the rain should fall while the King is putting the crown on and during his procession to Oke Mogun because rain must not touch the ancient crown.

Ooni emerged with the crown, which some say is about 100kg, while others maintain it is about the weight of a bag of rice (50 to 60kg). He walked unsteadily perhaps due to the weight of the crown or maybe he was in spiritual trance, but he was supported by the Emese (palace staff). Ooni with the Aare crown while walking to perform the annual rituals are the major points of the Olojo festival (Owner of the Day). Those that attended the festivals started praying as they believed that with the Ooni and Aare crown, all their supplications to the gods will be answered. The festival is celebrated annually to commemorate the day of the creation of the earth by Olodumare.

The festival, this year, was graced by many traditional rulers, particularly His Royal Majesty, Rabagaye Konjwa Bonge II of the Ndebele Nation of South Africa.

Rabagaye Konjwa Bonge II speaking with newsmen at the event implores African countries to unite, saying only a United African could conquer the world.

“Wherever you are as Africans, let’s come back to our homes. You don’t need to run away from your home. Our own problem is our problem and we need to face and solve it as a people. Genuine solution would not come from outsiders but from us.

“With our rich natural, human resource and culture, if we are united, we can conquer the world and the continent would reclaim its rightful place globally”, he said.

Osun State Commissioner for Political and Inter-governmental Affairs, Biyi Odunlade speaking to newsmen also stated that the essence of Olojo festival was to celebrate African culture and traditions.

“The essence of Olojo Festival is to celebrate us as a race. Celebrate our language, our culture and traditions, hence, the people rally round the Ooni to ensure that our culture and traditions are adequately preserved.”

Speaking at the festival, Araba Agbaye, Olusese 1, His Eminence Aworeni Awodotun, was full of praises for this year festival. He noted that the attendance was about twice of the 2022 edition despite the situation of the country, He said this was not surprising as more people now realised the importance of ensuring our tradition and culture did not go into extinct.

He said, “most importantly, aside the fact that preservation of our culture is germane, the joy of those that attend this event is that they prayed and their supplication is granted by Olodumare. Olojo Festival is not just about showcasing our culture and tradition, it is deep. It is our life and the oldest festival in the world. It is also a festival we use to perform rites to Olodumare for the peace and growth of our lands.

Dewunmi Lagos, a documentary photographer, who was at the festival for the first time commented that it is a great festival that could bring in many tourists from diaspora if well publicised and better managed.

He said, “this is the first time I am witnessing Olojo festival. I spent seven days in Ile Ife so as to properly document the festival. For me, the king appearance is magical and enthralling. It was everything about the festival. I wish there are more government presence in ensuring that the festival gain more prominence.”

Speaking further, he said, “I would advise that before next year festival, the state government should tarr the road from the palace to Okemogun. The organiser of the event can do better. The stage was too rowdy with so many people that have no business being there. There should be better coordination of the media and others who are there to take pictures and make a living from it. It is sad that the security men didn’t respect the tags given by the organiser.

“It is better if there is a barricade from the king’s palace to Okemogun and Orisa Aje. There should be an iron barricade to forestall the ugly incident where the crowds are pushing to get closer to the King while the Lokoloko used their canes on them indiscriminately. In the process of creating fears on the crowd, they do not only injured people, for instance a photographer was descended upon by 5 to 6 of the lokoloko, just because he was trying to get good shots. Most of their actions and that of the security makes the festival looks barbaric and local.The securities on ground and the local hunters were shooting their guns, though on air creating unnecessary fears. What about accidental discharge because I saw some 9mm bullet shells on the ground. I almost left because I was scared of the continuous shooting.

“Let me add also that the number of the hoodlums present is alarming. They should be kept away as much as possible, Food Vendors and other selling different things littered the roads. There should be a deliberate control of activities and movement so as to give the festival a good image. The museum needs facelift, it is one of the major tourist attraction during the festival. However, it was an eye opener and a good outing for me.”, he added.

Dr Elian Bembe from Aruba, Carribean Island, also a first time visitor to Nigeria and Ile Ife was smiling broadly when speaking about the Olojo Festival. He was full of praise for the culture. He disclosed that he has read about it online before making up his mind to be at this year Festival. In his words, “Africans, particularly Nigeria is very rich in culture and traditions. My first visit to Africa. I stumbled on this Festival online about two years ago, so I read up on it. Interestingly, I was enchanted about the crown. I wanted to see it too. Here I am. One thing aside the Festival I enjoyed is the rich history of this place. The beautiful people and the weather. I actually will be back to spend more time in the future”.