The traditional lighting of Osanyin lamp culturally referred to as Olojumerindinlogun (the sixteen – point lamp) was also carried out with the kabiyesi and his oloris dancing round it three times, commencing from 11pm till dawn.This was also followed by the Iboriade, traditional paying of homage to all past Ataojas who at one time or the other ruled Osogbo kingdom. This was done amid rendition of their cognomen (oriki); this has always been a sight to behold. There was the regular Arugba berth, a programme specially designed to appraise the lofty efforts of all past votary maids who are now married and old. They are often called one after the other by way of seniority with the special dance steps and drumming strictly for the Osun devotees. They are normally compensated with the token given to them. The interesting aspect of it is the announcement of number of years each votary maid carried the traditional calabash to and fro the grove and for which Ataoja in power to the admiration of everyone.
All other side attractions followed. For instance, the one by Beta Malta exclusively programmed for the children who were then on holidays. This was at the instance of Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Osogbo zone. This was a huge success. This was a tourists’ delight and several prizes and souvenirs were won and distributed to the children. The usual Ayo-Olopon which has been constant like the northern stars year in year out but exclusively sponsored by seamanshinaps was also an entertainment of some sort with champions and other participants were appreciated. This, no doubt added colour to the festival. Meanwhile, it is imperative to highlight the usual frills and thrills amid pomp and pageantry of the festival coupled with the inevitable businesses by the small and medium scale holders ranging from food sellers, beads, bags, kegs and bowls of various shapes and sizes Adire clothes, caps (abetiaja) of various types. Even the local fuji musicians had a field day, all added style and panache to the festival.
The dramatic angle to this year’s Osun Osogbo festival was the chieftaincy titles conferred on the leader of Oodua Peoples Congress, Chief Gani Adams, the newest Agbaakin of Osogboland courtesy, on thea day preceding the grand finale. This cultural dimension not only added pep to the festival but pulled crowds courtesy the Oodua Peoples Congress members who came from all walks of life to felicitate with their own distinguished leader and other title holders.It is also extremely significant to v appreciate the synergy and collaborative efforts of all security operatives for the very first time ranging from Nigeria police, Civil Defence corps, members of the Department of Security Services, local and state vigilantes who effortlessly controlled the teeming crowds within and around the grove where the grand finale of the festival took place.The votary maid who incidentally was the harrowhead of the festival, Miss Osuntomi Oyetunji, was accompanied by Osun devotees who were dressed beautifully amid tight security operatives with the intermittent rendition of Oore Yeye oooo by Osun adherents firmly present.
The Osun State government under the traditionally inclined Governor Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola represented at the occasion by Honourable Commissioner for Home Affairs Culture and tourism, Dr Obawale Adebisi, restated its continued support and assistance both financially and morally towards the growth and development of the festival. We say kudos to him for tiding up the pavilion. The Babalawos led by Araba- Awo of Osogboland Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon as well as all other devotees – the Oluodes were not left out of the celebration. However, amid all the jubilations within the cultural framework, one would like to proffer some guidelines that will ensure smooth sail of events within the sociocultural context. The diversification of Nigeria’s economy from the present petrol-dependence to tourism amd cultural related areas remains crucial and inevitable. The Federal Government, Osun State, Osogbo Local Government (Central), Osogbo Local Government South and East as well as Olorunda Local Government should, as a matter of cultural agency, kickstart proper arrangement via solid plans for next year’s Osun Osogbo cultural fiesta.
First, all relevant stakeholders must strategise and form a formidable force. Proposals for next year’s events must be communicated to all potential sponsors latest by January 2018 for onward careful planning and proper notification. Second, we can effectively harness the festival by having a packing space for vehicles, and a museum kitchen where local delicacies can be patronised. There can be African hair-dos within the buffer zone of the grove for all tourists as well as staff of National Museum. This is geared towards generating internal revenues.There are a plethora of posers begging for concrete and sensible answers. What have stakeholders done tp ensure the good conduct and continued maintenance of the grove? Who are the committee members saddled with such responsibilities? How much is being set aside on a yearly basis for the upkeep of the site? What has been the impact of the festival? These and many posers must be addressed and answered by stakeholders .
The time to take proactive measures towards ensuring a profitable, revenue-driven tourism through the Osun Osogbo festival is now. After all, a stitch in time saves nine.
- Bankole is of the National Museum, Osogbo, Osun StateAlso Read:
https://tribuneonlineng.com/olojo-festival-reaches-climax-ooni-adorns-crown/
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