By Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
The Olojo Day festival came to a climax at the weekend in Ile-Ife, Osun State, as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, hosted different traditionalists, foreign and local dignitaries who came to pay him homage at his palace.
The finale of the week-long festival was heralded by traditionalists, who in their hundreds, came out to felicitate with the Ooni, who adorned in their symbolic religious and traditional wears.
The Ooni after welcoming and hosting the traditionalists and visitors, left the stage at about 3:15p.m, and went into his chamber to put on the ‘Aare Crown’ which symbolises the climax of the Olojo Day festival celebration.
The Ooni however came out from his chamber at about 5:35p.m., amid cheers and prayers from his subjects, wearing the Aare crown, which is believed to have transform him into an Orisa (deity).
The Ooni (as tradition dictates) later walked few metres to the ‘Oke Mogun’ (the spot believed to be the place where the first dawn came into existence) to pray for his subjects, Osun State, Nigeria, his visitors and the entire human race.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, who was at the event to represent the president, said the festival would go a long way to promote the culture and tradition of the Yoruba people.
He said festivals like the Olojo which attracts international attention, would help to boost the tourism industry, as well as the social-economic development of the country.
The Ooni had on August 30, kicked-off a media campaign for the annual ‘Olojo Day’ festival, stating that the day was the day creation was made by God (Olodumare).
The Ooni, while explaining the meaning and significant of the Day, said both men and deities/spirits use the day to worship Olodunmare and that the day was not for the worship of any kind of idol.
He said Olojo means the dawn of creation by God almighty and it is a day of praising God with the prayer for him to open the windows of heaven and pour down his blessings on mankind.
Those present at this years’ Olojo Day celebration includes; Osun Deputy Governor, Titi-laoye Tomori, Senator Buruji Kashamu, representing Ogun East, former senator Iyiola Omisore, royal fathers, tourists, traditionalists and residents and indigenes of Ile-Ife.
