Traditional Festival of Obirin Ojowu in Ijebu Ode

 

People worshipping Orisa Ojowu
Source: Google

By: Shittu Yewande Ibilewa.

Ijebu ode is one of the most popular city in Ogun State due to its festivals such as Epo Yayu, Ojude Oba, Agemo, and Olobinrin Ojowu which has made the entire world know more about Ijebu Ode.

Obinrin Ojowu is one of the most popular festivals in the Ijebu Ode city that young and old do not want to miss. 

The festive is celebrated once a year. Every first week of the third month (March) is the actual moment for the celebration. 

High Chief Rasaki Oshimodi (Olumuroko of Ijebu land) who happens to be the third in command after Oba Kayode Sikiru Adetona the Awujale of Ijebu land then the Olisa of Ijebu ode as the second in command and then followed by the face of the Ojowu ancestor the Olumuroko of Ijebu land. The Olowa performed every necessary rite to ensure the Ancestors are not angry with the people of Ijebu and the land is peaceful for every Indigene and none indigene.

A week before the celebration he goes around the town making sacrifices and atonement for the peace and security of our dear hometown.

This festival is celebrated annually in every first week of the third month of the year by the people of Ijebu Ode with the direction of their traditional Chief Priest THE OGBOROGANDA. The people of Ijebu Ode massively celebrate the festival by purchasing different kinds of Ankara, welcoming prominent personalities from the diaspora, cooking different kinds of food, and calling a popular Musician for the celebration of the Festive.

The High Chief recalled that when Ogborogannida, who travelled to Ijebu Ode from Wadai, Sudan,  was leaving the house of Erelu Abiye Otufoluke, he left Obinrin Ojowu behind by an agreement she made with him.

 He, therefore, ordered that during the first week of every third month of the year, Obirin Ojowu must be brought to meet with him once every year. 

The Chief Priest Ogborogannida also called "Olowa Iberu" gives direct by consulting with the Awujale and securing his consent three to four times for orders and once the order is given he will sacrifice dogs that have no palm fronds around their necks to the IROKO tree by hanging the dog and removing the intestine at Odo-Esa which is very important.

Edited by: Gbolade Akeem Adefolarinwa.

Published by: Durowoju Mujeeb Tunde