- The Ojude Oba festival is celebrated with much plumpness and elegance
- It trends on social media with pictures of attendees looking classy every year.
- Here are some things you may not know about the festival
Pictures of women and men oozing style and elegance have flooded social media, and many Nigerians wonder about these stunning images' sources. The answer is the Ojude Oba Festival.
The festival has been trending on social media for its rich display of culture and the elegance of the attendees. This celebration, which is deeply rooted in tradition, showcases the best of Ijebu-Ode's heritage, with its participants adorning themselves in elaborate attire and participating in various cultural activities.
Things to know about the Ojude Oba festival
Here are some things you should know about the festival:
- The name of the festival, Ojude Oba, means “the king’s fore-court or frontage” or “majestic outing”
- Ojude Oba is celebrated by the people of Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, the South West of Nigeria.
- The Ojude Oba festival is held annually, three days after the Eid-ul-Adha.
- The festival is an avenue to pay homage to the Awujale of Ijebuland.
- The festival has been celebrated for over 100 years now.
- The festival takes place in front of the palace of the Awujale.
- The Ojude Oba festival was suspended for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The festival started in 1892 when Muslims in Ijebu-Ode paid tributes to the Awujale for allowing them to practice their religion freely.
- The festival showcases a rich display of culture and activities like the parade of age groups called Regberegbe, who are dressed in uniform elaborate attire (ankoo), display of horse riding skills, performance of traditional music and dance, exhibition of arts and crafts, among others, all paying tributes to the Awujale.
- Awards and cash prizes are given to the best-dressed Regberegbe.
- It is a festival that unites sons and daughters of Ijebuland every year.
- Although the festival was started by Muslims, it is now celebrated by all and sundry.
- The festival is a tourist attraction as many people come from far and near to witness the event.
FG wants to make Ojude Oba festival UNESCO-listed
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the federal government wants to list the festival as one of the festivals backed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
Ojude Oba festival is held every year in Ijebu, Ogun State, and is attended by indigenes both at home and in the diaspora.