This year’s Isese Day celebration in Oyo State was marked with cultural displays by Sango, Egungun, and Egbe and a special Iwure (prayer) by traditional religion adherents for the state, Governor Seyi Makinde and Nigeria.
The event held at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan, on Tuesday, saw a number of Araba render prayers in the traditional way for peace, unity, and stability in Oyo State, Nigeria, while a special message from Ifa was also delivered.
The celebration, attended by Arabas, Olorisas, and Babalawos across the zones of the state, also featured parades by Onifa, Olosun, Olobatala, Oniyemoja, Ologun-Oluode, Onimole, Ogboni, Elegbe, Elegun, Onisango, Gelede, and Ibeji, among others.
Speaking at the event championed by the Oyo Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Aare Isese, Oyo State, Omikunle Egbelade tasked traditional religion adherents to continue to seek the blessings of the Irunmole, Eegun, Ori, Egbe, Ifa, and Orisa for peace, unity, and stability in Oyo State and Nigeria.
Egbelade noted that such prayers and rituals were beneficial for future generations, so that they may inherit a land rich in culture, strong in spirit, and united in purpose.
He noted that the festivity provided an opportunity for all zones of the state to showcase the diversity, beauty, and vibrancy of our traditions, help propagate the timeless wisdom of our ancestors, and hand down their sacred practices and teachings.
He particularly praised the Governor Seyi Makinde-led government for declaring every August 20 work-free for celebration of Isese Day, saying such a gesture fosters inclusivity of all religions and helps in celebrating the rich tapestry of traditions of the state.
He stressed that the event also helped to preserve the ancient and revered traditions and rich cultural values and would reinforce the need for unity and respect among the diverse religions and cultural communities in the state.
The Aare Isese called for continued celebration of heritage with dignity and reverence, bearing in mind that the current generation is a custodian of a legacy that has withstood the test of time.
In his remarks, the Acting Governor of Oyo State, Mr Bayo Lawal, said the state celebrated Isese Day because it was an opportunity to celebrate the rich inherent Yoruba culture, arts, heritage, norms, values, and beliefs.
He assured that the government holds in high esteem devotees of traditional religion and tolerates people of other faiths in the state alike.
He enjoined traditional religious associations to continue to harmoniously relate, stressing that the government continued to reduce inequalities confronting people of Indigenous faiths.
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