Come with us as we explore the Ojude Oba Festival. This captivating event has enthralled people for over a hundred years. The remarkable festival takes place in the beautiful town of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. It is held on the third day after the Eid-el Kabir celebration. The Ojude Oba Festival is a world where religious harmony, cultural splendor, thrilling horse-riding displays, captivating dance competitions, and the awe-inspiring pyrotechnics of the Danafojura come together to create an unforgettable experience.
7 Things You Need To Know About The Ojude Oba Festival
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1. The Ojude Oba Festival attracts a massive crowd of over 250,000 people from all over Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. The festival's origins date back to 1892 when Oba Adesumbo Tunwase, the then ruler, generously provided land for a mosque to be built for Muslims. He also extended an invitation to British missionaries to preach Christianity and facilitated the construction of the first church in Ijebu. -
2. Originally a religious gathering for Islamic adherents, the Ojude Oba Festival has evolved into an inclusive celebration that welcomes people of all faiths and tourists from both within and outside Nigeria. -
3. The Regberegbe, which consists of young businessmen, women, and professionals from Ijebu-Ode, organizes the Ojude Oba day event and festival every year. They take on the responsibility of securing sponsorship for the festival. -
4. Two highlights you shouldn't miss during the festival are the horse-riding exhibitions by different families and the dance competitions among age-groups known as Regberegbe. Cash prizes are awarded to the best-dressed Regberegbe and horse-riding family. -
5. The festival serves as a platform to showcase the rich culture and heritage of the people of Ijebu Ode. Attendees can admire the splendid traditional attire, intricate hairstyles, and partake in the unique cuisine (ifokore). In addition, rare cultural dances are reenacted, adding to the grandeur of the event. -
6. The Regberegbe and Egbe perform a walk and dance parade, paying homage to the Awujale of Ijebu-land, HRH Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona. The best-dressed Regberegbe and the most impressive dancing family receive cash prizes. Gunshots are intermittently fired during the celebrations. -
7. A captivating addition to the festival is the Danafojura, a performance introduced in 2019 by the Alaafin of Oyo. The Danafojura features a "Pyro Egungun" (a masquerade) that sets itself ablaze in an epic inferno without sustaining any harm.
