The Ojude Oba Festival: A Parade Before The King

By Solomon

17 August 2016

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Every September, for the last century, the little town of Ijebu Ode in Ogun State has witnessed the magnificent parade of several Ijebu age-groups (Regberegbe) of its indigenes before a sitting Awujale of Ijebuland as part of what is known as the Ojude Oba festival. The term literally means "the king's front-yard".

A bit of history Of Ojude Oba

The Ojude Oba festival, as the legend goes, was first instituted over 100 years ago when the earliest muslim converts in Ijebu paid a courtesy visit to the then Awujale of Ijebu land to thank him for granting them the freedom to practice their religion. They prayed for the king's health, long life and prosperity.

The Regberegbes...

As the people of Ijebu Land progressed and evolved as a thriving community, they came up with a classification method where every indigene was grouped according to their ages. These age-groups - Regberegbes - were classed in 3-year brackets with assigned names, respectively. It is reported that the current Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, is of the Egbe Mafowoku age-group (1932-1934). One of the more recent age-group commissioned is the Egbe Maiyegun Akile Ijebu, comprising people born between 1974 and 1976. These age-groups all have a link to the throne and go all the way back in time to the first age-groups that were ever commissioned.

The Ojude Oba Festival...

Although the Ojude Oba festival originated as a muslim festival, it has since evolved over the years into a festival that Ijebu sons and daughters, whether they're muslims or not celebrated en mass every year - on the third day of Eid-El-Kabir. The festival usually kicks off with a prayer session led by the Chief Imam of Ijebu Land, followed by a rendition of the national anthem along with other rites.

The festival itself is rife with pomp and pageantry, as the various processions of people come to the palace of the Awujale to pay homage to the king amid. After the Regberegbes have had their parade, the descendants of the war heroes of Ijebu Land also have their own procession, all decked in resplendent attire. The top chiefs in the land also ride on horse backs to the palace to pay their homage to the king.

Related: Book The Best Hotels in Ijebu Ode Now!!!

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