IFE FESTIVALS
There are many interesting festivals. The Edi and Olojo being very popular. Both come up only once a year.
- Olojo Festival – Remembrance of Ogun- god of Iron.
It is the biggest annual festival of the Ife’s. This is in remembrance of Ogun, the god of Iron. Ogun is the first son of Oduduwa. On this occasion, Ooni appears after about seven days of seclusion, completely, not communicating with anyone except the ‘spirit’. He wears this special beaded crown called “Are” only once a year. During this olojo festival he leads the crowds to Okemogun shrine... click here to view some of the pictures taken during one of the Olojo Festivals
The Lokolokos are his bodyguards during the Olojo Festival. Time for the festival is indicated by the sun’s movement about the month of October from the West to the East. Only the Olojo chief priest identities the particular day to celebrate the festival.
Although it may be an exaggeration, but it is believed that of the 365 days that makes a year, it is only one day that the Ifes have no festival to perform. Thus the popular saying of “Irun Imole, Igba Imole” (i.e. about 600 gods to worship during the year. Among other festivals are the Orungbe, Itapa, Orisa Oko and many others.
This festival comes up once a year and for a period of seven days. Drumming is prohibited at Ile-Ife during this period. It is a period to discipline thieves. In the olden days during this period youths sang and rushed to the houses of known thieves, the thieves are exposed and their houses demolished. Finally a man called ‘Tele’ carries the rubbish with prayers being offered by the populace with hope for good future.
