Arafest carnival: Setting the pace with culture, tradition mixed with glamour

Earlier in the year 2017 when the idea of hosting a maiden modern carnival in Aramoko Ekiti, was mooted by the leadership of the historical town,  not many people took the  ‘dreamers’ serious. Even among some indigenes, the idea looked like a tall dream, considering the amount it would involve and other logistics.

But, few weeks ago, the town witnessed something that was unprecedented in its history when thousands trooped to Aramoko to be part of a carnival in the mould of the popular Calabar Carnival.

The carnival, a three- day event had highlights like contemporary youths carnival, Miss Aramoko beauty pageant, Indigenous Heritage Carnival, Music Concert and Uponan Alara Cultural ceremony. There were also carnivals at the four quarters of the town; Isasa-Ijowa, Anaye-Ikunato, Oke-Oja and Isao, arts and crafts exhibition and homage to the Alara of Aramoko-Ekiti, Oba Adegoke Olu Adeyemi.

The ‘A’ class music Jamboree featured Edris Abdulkareem of the ‘Nigeria Jagajaga’ fame, Ara the talking drummer, Fuji icons and other traditional musicians.  Top nollywood stars including Jibola Dabo, Peju Ogunmola, Dele Odule, Hajia Lantana Ahmed, Dr Kola Oyewo and Taiwo Ibikunle as well as scholars were also on hand as juries while the event lasted.

Like other communities within and outside Ekiti, the annual celebration of Aramoko Day, had been in existence for some time, but there was a unanimous agreement among leaders of Aramoko Development Association (ADA), to raise the bar, this time around.

The association, led by its president, Dr. Dipo Aladeloye, sold the idea to members of Alara-in-Council, the highest traditional council in the town and it was approved. Coincidentally, the town was lucky to have produced an internationally-acclaimed carnival organiser and Nigeria’s first Professor of Choreography, Prof. Rasaki Ojo- Bakare, who willingly accepted to organise and coordinate the event.

Bakare, a former Artistic Director of the popular Abuja carnival thus transported his international experience to his community and took time to train the local contingents.

Aramoko, through its four quarters; Isasa-Ijowa, Anaye-Ikunato, Oke-Oja, Isao and various cultural groups showcased the heritage of the ancient town by playing up her core values as well as traditional connection with Ile Ife. In the parade that took the various groups round the town in various regalia with the Igede, the Hausa and the Urhobo communities resident in the town also joined the parade in their traditional outfits to add colour to the procession.

At the end, winners emerged and prizes were given. In the beauty contest and parade, which involved 10 beautiful damsels of Aramoko descent that were drawn from various higher institutions, Miss Ige Oluwatoyosi Esther, an undergraduate from the Science Faculty of Federal University, Oye Ekiti, carted the first prize of a landed property and N20, 000 monthly allowances that would be paid for 12 months while the first and second runners up in the exercise also went home with a deep freezer and fridge respectively. They also got monetary rewards among other prices.

An elated 18 year- old  Ige was to later tell journalists that  the competition was her first attempt at such exercise. “I never thought I could win but I put in all my best; intellectually and stylishly. My parents have always told me to put my best at any human endeavour that comes my way and the contest was one of such. Having said this, I appreciate my parents for giving me education and I thank the organisers, especially our amiable Kabiyesi, Oba Adegoke

Olu-Adeyemi; the ADA President Dr Dipo Aladeloye and the Festival Director, Prof. Rasaki Ojo-Bakare.

“In all, I believe this contest has exposed us all to what happen in other climes and we will make the best use of it,” she said.

The ADA President, Dr. Aladeloye, had stated that the event was to be used by the community to  set a pace in the South West. According to him, the concept of setting a day aside to celebrate had become monotonous, hence the need to take a bold step to refresh the community’s cultural heritage.

He said ARAHFEST is being redesigned, remodeled and rebranded from the old “Ara Day” to showcase the culture, tradition and panache of the town.

At the grand finale of the event which had the Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, his Gombe State counterpart, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwamabo, the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Professor Olusola Eleka and scores of traditional rulers in attendance, the town monarch, Oba Adegoke Olu-Adeyemi, commended the organisers and expressed his satisfaction over the unique event. He described Governors Fayose and Dankwambo as uncommon leaders and bridge builders, who had consistently worked towards the unity of the country.

“I’m happy today because my community has just initiated a carnival that would not only be a unifying factor for indigenes, it would be a strong tool to reposition our noble town and put it in world map. I welcome all our dignitaries to this event and in particular, I appreciate our Special Guest of Honour and our Governor, Dr Peter Fayose and his deputy, for taking time out to celebrate with us.  I am particularly delighted to welcome to Aramoko a true Nigerian of an uncommon accomplishment, a foremost politician, a banking guru and a seasoned administrator who richly and truly deserves to be our Chief Launcher at ARAFEST 2017. This is no other than our Gombe State born politician, the state governor and a former Accountant General of the federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Damkabo, a bridge builder and a nationalist per excellence.

Speaking on the event, Prof. Bakare, who hinted that the 2018 edition would be a seven-day event, described the 2017 edition as a successful outing, calling on individuals and multinationals to key into subsequent festivals in the town for leveraging.

Professor Bakare pointed out that ARAFEST aims to project the culture and tourism potentials of Aramoko community as a historic Yoruba town.

Bakare revealed that series of training were organised for youths and adults that participated at the carnival with experts invited from outside the state for the festival.

“The festival was conceived to engage the youths of the town and take them away from criminality and negativity. Many of them have been idle and their hands have become workshop for the devil. We want our youths to be busy positively and that was why we have loaded the festival with youth-related activities. Every activity was a competition among the youths from the four quarters of the town. Aside the musical jamboree, there was also indigenous carnival that was performed by traditionalists, hunters, blacksmiths, farmers who wore various costumes,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Honourable Charles Iliya, who represented Gov. Dankwamabo described the carnival as an international event that would put Aramoko in world map. He called on indigenes to rally round Oba Adeyemi and the Governor Fayose, who he described as a bridge builder to deepen development in the state.

“With the chieftaincy title of Atunluse of Aramoko given to my principal, Governor Dankwamabo, Aramoko has validated the fact that Nigeria is one, irrespective of religion and tribe. Let me also add that Governor Fayose is a friend of all and a man who is working assiduously to sustain the oneness of Nigeria,” he added.

As the community prepares for the 2018 edition, one thing is clear, the new 2017 edition has reopened a new chapter in traditional carnival in this part of the world, as it provided the opportunity for culture, tradition and panache to blend successfully.