Ooni Flags Off 2024 Olojo Festival, Says Yoruba Tradition, Culture Remain Sacrosanct

OSUN – The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja, on Thursday in Ile-Ife, flagged off the commencement of the 2024 Olojo Festival, saying the sanctity of the Yoruba culture and traditions remained Sacrosanct.

Oonirisa Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi spoke at the Ile-Ife Palace at a media briefing with sponsors of the 2024 Oloja festival themed: “Evolving Transformational Domestic Tourism With Community Festivals”.

According to the Oonirisa, the celebration of the revered cultural event is held annually in the ancient city to celebrate the day of the first dawn.

Addressing sponsors and guests at the event that is also held in commemoration of Ogun(God of Iron), the Ooni said the festival marked the birth of the Aare Crown; a crown of all crowns all over the world.

“Go to the four corners of the world, north, east, west and south, the birth of the crown was actually the first dawn discovered by the pathfinder which is linked to our celebration. The world does what is called thanksgiving at this period. But for us, it is the biggest celebration after we must have done our main celebration after the Ifa celebration in June. That’s the beginning of the dawn.

“In Yoruba land, we still uphold our heritage, and that’s why we celebrate the first dawn. And the first dawn is when the Aare Crown comes out for blessing. The Crown has a life in it to date from time immemorial.”

The crown that is said to weigh about 50 kilogrammes, the Oonirisa added, “Changes the weather conditions and doesn’t see the atmosphere, except once in a year.”

Among the sponsors are Adron Homes, Grand Oak Limited and Nigerian Breweries Plc.

The Grand Finale for the 2024 edition of the annual Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife, will hold between Thursday 26th and Monday 30th of September, 2024.

On Thursday, 26th September, 2024 there will be Ayo Olopon Traditional Game. Festival Cultural Talent Hunt (Audition). Olojo Festival Colloquium.

Friday, 27th September, 2024 – Ojo Ilagun, Iwode Ile-Ife (Community Cleansing). Oonirisa’s Terrestrial Message to the World.

Saturday, 28th September, 2024 – Festival Grand Finale Official Ceremony. Ojo Okemogun, and the Aare Cultural Procession.

Sunday, 29th September, 2024 – Ojo Ajoyo (Asekagba). (Grand Royal Reception – Invitational). Adire Oodua Cultural Exchange Exhibition. Oonirisa’s Ife Award for Community Service, 2024

Monday, 30th September, 2024 – Ojo Ibile (Oonirisa’s Ancestral Traditional Propitiation). Cultural Talents Hunt(Final).