The Aladrshonyin displayed his drumming skills during the festival
By Babatunde Kaka
EDITOR’S PICK:
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the good people of Odo-Noforija Kingdom of Eredo LCDA, Epe division led by His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr Babatunde Ogunlaja (JP, FMBE) on Friday marked the 2022 edition of the iconic Eebi Festival in commemoration of the unique cultural and traditional values, beliefs and norms handed down by their ancestors.
The Eebi festival is a trademark cultural celebration marked across communities such as Epe, Ilara, Odo-Egiri, Odo-Ayandelu, Poka and others in Epe Division for their growth and prosperity.
The cultural festival which coincided with Good Friday and the weekly Jumaat prayers was nothing short of a remarkable tourist attraction and thus subtly captured the quote of one of Africa’s greatest Ambassadors and former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, where he said:
“People of different religions and cultures live side by side in almost every part of the world, and most of us have overlapping identities which unite us with very different groups. We can love what we are, without hating what – and – who – we are not. We can thrive in our own tradition, even as we learn from others, and come to respect their teachings.”
The Odo-Noforija Kingdom, a town with a blend of religion, culture, tradition, education, entertainment, leisure, hospitality, businesses to mention a few, attracted tens of captains of industries, accomplished civil and public servants, proud custodians of Yoruba culture and tradition, and hundreds of families, friends, well-wishers and fun-seekers.
Ekohotblog reports that several Royal Fathers joined the celebrations not only in solidarity but also as custodians of the rich Yoruba culture and tradition. They include the Alayandelu of Odo-Ayandelu kingdom, Alade Uraka of Poka land, Oba-Elect of Odomola, Olowu of Owu Ikosi, Onirokun of Irokun, Elerunwon of Erunwon ijebu, Olowu of Odolewu, Olota of Ota Ikosi and a short of other notable royal fathers.
The Eebi festival, which featured a feast of sumptuous delicacies and drinks, also experienced explosive dance displays from masquerades and the traditional “apepe” music and drumming.
It got too irresistible for the host, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Babatunde Ogunlaja (JP, FMBE), who joined the traditional music band and displayed his exceptional drumming skills and jaw-dropping dance steps.
It is, therefore, safe to say that it would be rare for any of his contemporaries would throw their hats in the ring in a contest with the Aladeshonyin and Paramount Ruler of Odo-Noforija kingdom in a dance and drumming battle.
The celebration continued with the enthralling arrival of the long-awaited fast and furious “kilajolu masquerade” alongside its acolytes, wielding and brandishing their long canes in a battle-ready fashion like a victorious battalion of soldiers were ushered into the massive Royal Palace arena with showers of blessings, the rain. Moments later after the rain had subsided, the Aladeshonyin began rites to receive the “kilajolu’ masquerade.
Having received the ‘kilajolu’ masquerade where both offered prayers for the sons and daughters and the Noforija community as a whole, it was indeed a case of fierce and ferocious lashing spearheaded by the masquerade and its brave acolytes, mostly young people and able-bodied men.
As it is customary for the masquerade to beat the king first, the Aladeshonyin and his retinue of Royal fathers, chiefs, and the townspeople accompanied by security officers strode gleefully to the premises of the Noforija Divisional Police Station.
While there, the Aladeshonyin briefly introduced the festival to the DPO and its significance to the growth of the community. There on, the ‘Kilajolu’ in a ceremonial fashion beat the DPO and prayers were offered.
Ekohotblog reports that it is customary for the masquerade to beat the DPO after beating the king. This is believed to signal to the entire community and visitors alike that the masquerade wields a temporary authority to beat anyone during the celebrations.
Having completed the rites from the Police Station which was a stone’s throw from the palace, our correspondent reports that the Aladeshonyin thereafter led his Royal counterparts, friends and the community of diverse cultural affiliation to the music stand of Alhaji Sulaimon Benbella, who thrilled the gathering to astonishing traditional Fuji music tunes.
The kilajolu masquerade gave the entire community who joined in the celebrations and onlookers who stopped by to catch a glimpse of its theatrical dexterity a fun and memorable cultural experience. Even the CEO of Ekohotblog who joined friends and colleagues in celebration and support for the throne was not spared from the whipping.
It was also a jaw-dropping scenario when the masquerade jumped on the Police van on standby to display its magic feet to the delight of the watching crowd.
In the words of former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Anan, “Tolerance, inter-cultural dialogue and respect for diversity are more essential than ever in a world where peoples are becoming more and more closely interconnected.”
Both the entire people of the Odo-Noforija kingdom under the astute leadership of Oba Dr. Babatunde Ogunlaja (JP, FMBE) and the tourists from all walks of life and ethnoreligious backgrounds displayed not only a high level of tolerance but inter-cultural understanding and respect for diversity.
According to foremost Nobel Laurette, Professor Wole Soyinka, “Culture is a matrix of infinite possibilities and choices. From within the same culture matrix, we can extract arguments and strategies for the degradation and ennoblement of our species, for its enslavement or liberation, for the suppression of its productive potential or its enhancement.” The above quote sums up the expected positive disposition of society towards its heritage in which the Odo-Noforija kingdom is marvelously entrenched.
FURTHER READING:
There’s no doubt that in the quest to transfer and propagate these unique cultural practices from one generation to another and especially with the high-level involvement of the youths, the 2022 Eebi Festival of Odo-Noforija Kingdom lived up to its billings in terms of uplifting, promoting and preserving the rich, extraordinary and age-long cultural and traditional heritage of Epe division.
Evidently, the festival is a launch pad that will place the Epe division on the global map which will in turn birth social and economic prosperity if the potential is technically harnessed.
Click to watch our video of the week:
President Bola Tinubu has reassured French investors of Nigeria’s readiness for business, emphasizing improved security…
Real Madrid’s team bus was involved in a motorway accident following their 2-0 defeat to…
A fire broke out at the Radio Nigeria facility on Plot No. 35, Ikoyi Road,…