Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital recently witnessed the coming together of Isese Worshippers and Traditionalists for annual Ifa festival , “Odun Ifa”.
The week-long program which encompasses line up of prayers and deity referencing; got rounded off on Sunday with celebration and entertainment by all Traditional Adherents thus symbolizing answers to prayers offered to Orisa Nla , Ogun , Esu, and other Deities with , with an assurance of a more blissful sojourn into the new Ifa Calendar year.
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in the State, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun charged the Traditional Religionists on noble representation and oneness. Adding that the peaceful coexistence amongst the adherents and other faiths should remain uninterrupted thus fostering unity of purpose for a progressive and peaceful Oyo State.
He admonished on consistent prayers for the Governor and the State to continually enjoy lasting peace and progressive development. Giving that as the only way to repay the good deeds of His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde’ s passionate grant of the August 20th ‘Isese Day’.
Earlier while welcoming attendees to the event, chief Ifa Priest,Baba Awo Aare Ifalere Ifagbenro ‘Agbefawo Biewu’ who also doubles as the ‘Aare Oje’ (fun gbogbo Eleegun) for all the ‘Alagbass’ ( Masquerades Bearers) in Oyo State reaffirmed the traditional adherents’ unalloyed commitment to the peace and progress of the State while emphasizing on the interconnectivity of the Cultural Norms, Values, Beliefs as well as Tradition as being inseparable.
Ifalere further spoke on the significance of the Annual Ifa Festival which is to usher in and safeguard the new year in a peaceful appeasement to Orisa Nla and other referred deities. He added that his clan, the Agboole-Ifa Idingbe Alape-Ola has hitherto remained a custodian of this practice hence a responsibility to assemble all Ifa Worshippers annually for necessary appeasement to the specified deities.
A special appeasement and atonement for the peace of the land and Governor Seyi Makinde’s Led Administration was earlier observed in the course of the week – long festival hence a pronouncement by the Ifa Oracle of an end to unforeseen, planned or intending mishaps in the State.
Other special features at the event were goodwill messages from some notable traditional cohorts, describing the Host, Ifalere as such a priest that embraces all his followers in peaceful coexistence within and across the board. Iwure, Esa Egungun by the popular Ibadan Chanter, ‘Ato Ajankoko’, Iyere Ifa and the likes were other highlights of the event.
In attendance were Isese worshippers of all fronts, BabaAlawos, Omobabinrin Aje(Wealth Princess), Kabiyesis, Arabas from Ota and Ejigbo respectively, Title Holders in the Traditional Religion Clan, Mogajis’, Olori Alagbaas, amongst others.