the paramount ruler of Odo Ayandelu Kingdom, Ikosi Ejinrin, Epe Division of Lagos State, His Royal Majesty, Oba Asunmo Ganiyu Aderibigbe
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Odo-Ayandelu community of Epe Division came alive on Sunday 20TH, March 2022 as the paramount ruler, Odo Ayandelu Kingdom, Ikosi Ejinrin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Asunmo Ganiyu Aderibigbe held the annual Agemo Traditional Celebrations to mark the 2022 Eibi Festival.
Oba Aderibigbe held the event which is popular among Epe indigenes across several neighbourhoods in the ancient Agbowa town.
As customary with the highly agrarian community, the length and breadth of Agbowa Ikosi-Egirin town were agog with an array of colourful cultural events which includes “Agemo Ogun Pakoko”, “Onire and Ifa”, among others which are spectacular displays of the rich cultural heritage of the Agbowa-Epe people which is as old as the town itself.
According to history, Ayandelu left Ile-Ife, equipped with a beaded crown and a staff of office, bequeathed to him by his father, then Oni of Ife. He also had with him his ornaments of worship of Yoruba gods like Eluku, Agemo Ogun Pakoko, Esu, Osu, Orisa-Nla, Ogun Ilu, Ogun Ijasi, Etunrenren Elefulosu, Felefon Ajaye, Oro, Epo Yayu, Onikoso, Onire and Ifa, which are still being worshipped in Odo-Ayandelu during the Eibi festival which holds every year.
While the “Agemo” and “Onire” were held on Friday 19th and Sunday 20th at the sacred shrine where various age-grade groups displayed exceptional cultural songs with dancing and drumming skills, prayers for prosperity and well-being of the people were also offered by the kings present and also the community chief priests.
The Eebi festival celebrations this year were elaborately celebrated across neighbourhoods compared to the celebrations in 2021 which was marred by the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
Oba Aderibigbe who appeased the deities and gods at their various ancestral shrines was adorned in his colourful traditional regalia alongside the highly significant Onire masquerade, his entire household, traditional chiefs, Olorituns, sons and daughters of Agbowa, later hit the streets with music, dance and cultural songs to the delight of visitors who witnessed the event.
His Royal Majesty displayed unrivalled valour and gallantry during the Ita-Oba day where he danced energetically around the open field with his royal chiefs and family to the traditional Gbedu drums s his fellow invited Kings, the likes of, Oluwo Of Owo-Ikosi Kingdom, Oba Nelson Yomi OgunlabI and Fadairo1, The Olasolo Of Lasolo Kingdom, Aiyedada local government, Osun State among others, alongside the townspeople watched in delight.
This online media platform gathered that the age-grade groups had several face-offs, altercations and territorial aggression towards one another in their battle for supremacy on the festival day which was held at the town square.
The womenfolk were also not left out in the age-grade battles as the males shielded them from aggressions by opposing groups.
While the Chief Priests of various fraternity groups took turns to offer prayers to the king and the entire gathering, the Alayandelu, also offered prayers for the growth and development of the people and the community at large.
Speaking with our correspondent, Oba Aderibigbe spoke about the significance of the Agemo masquerade and the importance of the festival in the community.
“Well the festival you came to witness today is called Eyibi festival Odo Ayandelu 2022. It’s also an annual festival that we do celebrate in our community and across Ijebu land, it’s called Agemo festival.
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“You might have been hearing that they called Ijebu ode Awon Alagemo Merindinlogun so we are part of them, and where an ancient crown is, that’s where you see them celebrate a festival of this type.
“There is another masquerade called Onire, which has a crown-like the one am putting on my head, which we use in appeasing the gods in seasons like this. We clean and purify the city and pray for the growth and peace of Nigeria. We pray for the community, Lagos state and our children for better development and peace in the community”.
Pictures from the event:
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