'Ojude Oba', literally translating to 'the king’s fore-court', is a major social and cultural festival in Nigeria. The Ijebu people have been celebrating this festival for over a century.
Ojude Oba is an annual celebration that takes place two days after the Muslim Eid-el-Kabir (Ileya) religious festival.
The festival is celebrated like a carnival,bringing together the sons and daughters of Ijebuland from home and abroad to celebrate the cultural, traditional and spiritual values of the Ijebus.
Different age groups, called 'regberegbes' as well as their friends and guests dress up in colourful costumes to celebrate the festival.
They ride on horses that are gaily adorned in a procession to the palace of the Awujale of Ijebuland (paramount ruler) to pay homage to him amidst prayer and fanfare.
Contemporary Nigerian artistes are also invited to thrill the crowd with their performances.
Away from the fun an entertainment, the annual festival is an avenue for indigenes of Ijebu to converge and discuss important issues as regards the Ijebu nation.
Ojude Oba festival also helps the socio-economic development of Ogun state as business activities record a massive surge during the Ileya/Ojude Oba celebration.
No comments:
Post a Comment