Ojude Oba in fotos: How royalty, elegance and colour dey define di yearly festival
Di pipo of Ijebu for Ogun State, southwest Nigeria, dey celebrate Ojude Oba Festival on Sunday 8 June.
Dis annual festival na one of di kontri most important cultural and traditional events. Im origins date back to di 19th century wen Islam begin spread across Ijebuland.
Bifor now, di festival na just gathering of Muslim faithful wey go come togeda to pay respects to di reigning Awujale, di traditional ruler of Ijebuland.
Di name "Ojude Oba," wey mean "Di King Forecourt," reflect di early purpose of di festival.
Over time, Ojude Oba move from small homage into grand festival wey don capture national and international attention. E don grow into cultural, social, and economic significance.
Today, di festival dey take place for di Awujale Pavilion for Ijebu Ode under di leadership of Oba Sikiru Adetona, di current Awujale.
Na on di third day afta Sallah, also known as Ileya, dem dey hold di event.
For di festival, dem dey display ogbonge Yoruba fashion as participants dey dress in beautiful traditional fabrics such as Adire, Aso Oke, Agbada, and Iro and Buba.
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Di highlight of di festival na di parade of horse riders wey dey represent various Balogun families, including Balogun Adenuga, Balogun Alatise, Balogun Adesoye, Balogun Alausa, and Balogun Kuku.
Dis horsemen dey display bravery and heritage as dem ride through di grounds.
Alongside dem na di colourful 'Regbe Regbe' parade, wia age-grade groups from different families, mostly wit Ijebu roots, go march in coordinated traditional attire.
Groups like Gbobaniyi, Bobagbimo, Gbobalaye, and Obafuwali go compete wit one anoda to showcase dia culture and style while dem honour di Awujale wit dances, prayers, and gifts.
Ojude Oba na also important economic event. E dey draw hundreds of visitors from across Nigeria and di diaspora, and e dey fill local hotels and guesthouses and boost di hospitality sector of di state.
Corporate sponsors dey also seize di opportunity to showcase dia brands along di festival routes, and contribute to vibrant commercial atmosphere.
Sake of di festival scale and importance, security agencies dey tanda to ensure di safety of participants and visitors.
More fotos from di festival
