In the vibrant cities of Nigeria’s cultural landscape, the Yoruba people proudly preserve and celebrate their rich heritage through a myriad of traditional festivals upheld by prominent traditional rulers.
As we delve into the year 2024, the anticipation for these festivities is palpable, promising a journey into the heart of Yoruba tradition. Here we discussed ten Yoruba traditional festivals to look out for in 2024.
1. Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife in September
The ancient town of Ile-Ife sets the stage for the Olojo Festival, a grand commemoration of the world’s creation and the first dawn. In September, the town comes alive with a procession led by the Arole Oodua, the Ooni of Ife, adorned in ancient regalia.
The Ooni is expected to seclude himself for seven days and on the seventh day, he would come out with the crown used by Oduduwa the great ancestor of the Yoruba people to begin the commemorations of the festival. The spectacle showcases the rich cultural heritage and spiritual significance ingrained in the Yoruba cosmogony.
2. Osun-Osogbo Festival holds in August
Moving southwest to Osogbo in Osun State, the Osun-Osogbo, the 702 Years Festival is usually held in the first two weeks of August. In 2005, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a global festival. This vibrant celebration honors the river goddess, Osun and it usually takes fourteen days in August.
This month is marked by rituals, processions, and the cleansing of the sacred Osun grove, drawing in locals and international tourists alike to witness the captivating fusion of spirituality and cultural expression. According to Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, more than 60, 000 people attend the festival across the globe.
The festival is divided into three phases: general rituals, individual prayers for different spiritual solutions, and entertainment activities.
3. Egungun Festival Oyo in June/July
The ancient city of Oyo is a canvas for the colorful expressions of the Egungun Festival. This event which usually happens either in June or July of every year is dedicated to commemorating the ancestors through masked people who dance in the market or town squares.
The festival is usually kick started at the Oba’s palace and the city resonates with the beat of drums with the sight of elaborate masquerades representing ancestral spirits, creating an atmosphere steeped in tradition and reverence.
The masquerades popularly known as “ara orun” (The celestial beings) go house to house and market to market to pray for people and also entertain them with their dancing and acrobatic skills.
4. Sango Festival, Oyo in August
Oyo, steeped in tradition, also hosts the Sango Festival at the beginning of Yoruba Traditional New Year in August. This festival pays homage to the Yoruba god of thunder and lightning, Sango. The festival spanning ten days holds significant ties to Oyo State’s social, religious, cultural, and political institutions.
This event also honors Tella-Oko, the third alaafin of the Oyo Empire, revered as the embodiment of Sango, the mythical Yoruba deity associated with thunder and lightning.
During this period, the streets come alive with fire-spitting performances, traditional drumming, and spiritual rites dedicated to Sango, attracting worshippers from far and wide who seek to partake in this vibrant manifestation of Yoruba spirituality.
5. Eyo Festival in Lagos
The bustling city of Lagos, known for its dynamism, becomes a cultural hub during the Eyo Festival. Unlike the other festivals that are annual, Eyo is an occasional festival and the last one was held on May 20, 2017 which was the 68th in its history.
The Eyo festival is a cultural and traditional masquerade exhibition originating from the Iga (palace) of the Oba or one of his cabinet members, exclusively observed on Lagos Island. Symbolizing the spirits of the ancestors, the Eyo masquerade is presented to honor a deceased chief, elder of a ruling family, or Oba.
Additionally, it may occur during the installation of a new head for the palace or a new Oba. The streets witness a majestic procession of white-clad Eyo masquerades, accompanied by drummers and traditional rulers, offering a unique blend of tradition and urban vibrancy.
During the festival, it is prohibited to smoke, wear sandals, ride motorcycles and bicycles, Make the ‘Suku’ (Yoruba hairstyle) and women are not allowed to tie head gears. It is also a taboo to wear the Eyo costume overnight or wear it to cross a lagoon or river.
6. Ogun Festival, Ondo in July/August
Ogun festival is a festival celebrated across different Yoruba communities, however, Ondo is the most popular town for it. Ondo town usually hosts the Ogun Festival around July/August, an event dedicated to honoring the Yoruba god of iron, Ogun.
The month sees traditional rituals, including sacrifices and ceremonies, highlighting the significance of Ogun in the Yoruba pantheon and emphasizing the role of tradition in shaping community identity.
The major meat during the festival is dogs and it is advisable for dogs’ owners to keep their dogs indoors. Any dog seen during the festival would be beheaded at a strike and the meat belong to Ogun devotees and its followers.
7. Orun Festival in Ondo
The town of Ondo also comes alive in August with the Orun Festival, celebrating the deity of fertility. Colorful processions, dances, and rituals fill the streets, creating a vibrant spectacle that underscores the importance of fertility and prosperity in the cultural fabric of the Yoruba people.
8. Ikere Ekiti New Yam Festival in Ekiti held in August
Ekiti State, nestled in southwestern Nigeria, hosts one of the biggest New Yam Festivals in August. This festival marks the harvesting of new yams, and the month is filled with traditional dances, feasts, and ceremonies expressing gratitude to the gods for a bountiful harvest, emphasizing the deep connection between agriculture and spirituality.
The festival is done to appease Olosun, who is believed by the forefathers of the town to bless them with good rainfall that will bring about good yam harvests.
9. Olokun Festival in Badagry holds in October
Badagry, with its historical significance, is the stage for the Olokun Festival in September. This festival honors the deity of the sea, Olokun. Ceremonies near the beach, boat processions, and cultural displays unfold, reflecting the maritime heritage of the community and its deep-rooted spiritual connections. The last Olokun festival was held on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at Sultan Beach, Badagry.
10. Ijebu-Ode Ojude Oba Festival
In the historic town of Ijebu-Ode, the Ojude Oba Festival takes center stage, typically in September. This event celebrates the end of Ramadan and cultural unity. The streets witness colorful parades, horse riding, and gatherings of various age groups, creating a vibrant display that showcases the unity and cultural diversity of the Ijebu people.
In conclusion, the 2024 Yoruba major traditional festivals offer a captivating journey into the heart of Yoruba tradition. From the grand Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife, symbolizing the creation of the world, to the vibrant Osun-Osogbo Festival honoring the river goddess, these events showcase the rich cultural heritage and spiritual significance ingrained in Yoruba cosmogony.
The colorful expressions of the Egungun Festival, the thunderous Sango Festival in Oyo, and the occasional yet majestic Eyo Festival in Lagos further emphasize the deep connections between tradition, spirituality, and community identity.
These festivities collectively mirror the Yoruba people’s cultural resilience and profound spirituality, drawing both local enthusiasts and international admirers into the intricacies of the age-old traditions.
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