- Fifth Etufu lighting held by Oke-Oba/Popo Oba descendants at Kosoko Ground
- Oloye Shobaloju reflects on Kosoko’s legacy and the symbolism of the Etufu
- Oloye Oshodi recounts the war that led to Kosoko’s exile from Lagos
As part of the ongoing 2025 Kayokayo Festival in Epe, the descendants of Oke-Oba and Popo Oba lit the fifth sacred Etufu in a powerful display of tradition and remembrance.
Ekohotblog reports that the ceremony took place at the Kosoko Embankment Ground, where the legacy of King Kosoko’s arrival in 1851 continues to be honored.
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The Etufu lighting is a significant cultural ritual symbolizing the warm reception given to King Kosoko after his exile from Lagos due to the British invasion.
Each flame represents a host community that sheltered the king and his followers during that historic migration.
Speaking at the event, Oloye Shobaloju highlighted the deep-rooted significance of the ritual.
“Kosoko’s embankment to Epe was more than a refuge; it was the beginning of a legacy.
Lighting the Etufu each year is our way of sustaining that legacy and teaching it to the next generation,” he said.
He explained that Epe people, known for their hospitality, embraced King Kosoko and his entourage, and the relationship gave rise to a rich heritage that lives on today through cultural practices like the Kayokayo Festival.
Oloye Oshodi, also present at the event, shared a historical perspective on the circumstances that brought Kosoko to Epe.
“The war between Kosoko and the British drove him out of Lagos. It was a difficult journey, but it led him to Epe, a land that received him with open arms,” he stated.
He noted that the resilience of Kosoko and the generosity of the Epe people formed the foundation of a shared history that should never be forgotten.
Descendants of the Oke-Oba and Popo Oba communities danced and prayed round the burning flame, clad in royal regalia, as the flame symbolically connected the past with the present.
A young participant, expressed his pride in the tradition.
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“This is more than history. It’s a reminder of who we are and where we come from.”
The Kayokayo Festival, which commemorates King Kosoko’s arrival in Epe, will continue with more Etufu lightings, community processions, and cultural showcases in the days ahead.
