Steeze & Rich Culture On Display As Vibrant Ojude Oba Festival Holds In Ijebu Ode
During the festivities, different cultural age groups known as regberegbe composed of indigenes, their friends, and associates parade at the front courtyard of the king’s palace on the third day of Eid al Kabir.
Ojude Oba festival is an ancient festival celebrated by the Yoruba people of Ijebu Ode, a town in Ogun State Nigeria. This annual festival usually takes place the third day after Eid El Kabir to pay homage and show respect to the King the Awujale of Ijebuland. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
In a kaleidoscope of hues, the 2024 Ojude Oba Festival unfolded like a vibrant tapestry, weaving together tradition, regality, and opulence.
Held annually by the Ijebu people of Ijebu-Ode, this one-day festival pays homage and shows respect to the King, the Awujale of Ijebuland; casting a spotlight on the rich heritage of the Yoruba people.
Members of the Clan of the Osi Balogun ride on horses to pay homage to the King, Awuja Ile of Ijebuland, during the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on June 18, 2024. – Ojude Oba festival is an ancient festival celebrated by the Yoruba people of Ijebu Ode, a town in Ogun State Nigeria. This annual festival usually takes place the third day after Eid El Kabir to pay homage and show respect to the King the Awujale of Ijebuland. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
A group of hunters refill their local guns with gun powder, which they fire into the air as a symbol of respect and salute to the king during the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on June 18, 2024. – Ojude Oba festival is an ancient festival celebrated by the Yoruba people of Ijebu Ode, a town in Ogun State Nigeria. This annual festival usually takes place the third day after Eid El Kabir to pay homage and show respect to the King the Awujale of Ijebuland. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
Children from Balogun Ogundiwa dynasty wave their flags during the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on June 18, 2024. – Ojude Oba festival is an ancient festival celebrated by the Yoruba people of Ijebu Ode, a town in Ogun State Nigeria. This annual festival usually takes place the third day after Eid El Kabir to pay homage and show respect to the King the Awujale of Ijebuland. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
Clan of the Aleshin Osi Family ride on horses to pay homage to the king Awuja Ile of IIjebuland, during the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on June 18, 2024. – Ojude Oba festival is an ancient festival celebrated by the Yoruba people of Ijebu Ode, a town in Ogun State Nigeria. This annual festival usually takes place the third day after Eid El Kabir to pay homage and show respect to the King the Awujale of Ijebuland. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
The town’s streets transformed into a regal promenade. Ojude Oba resonated and beckoned all to its majestic forecourt. Here, the people gathered, their colourful shoes tapping to the beats and rhythm of talking drums. Eid al Kabir’s third day reverberated, urging feet to sway, hearts to beat in unison. Indigenes, friends, and associates—bound by threads of kinship—moved as one.
A general view of members of the Egbe Gobaniyi Okunrin, Egbe Jagunmolu Obirinrin, Egbe Obaneye and Egbe Bobagunwa Okunrin during the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on June 18, 2024. – Ojude Oba festival is an ancient festival celebrated by the Yoruba people of Ijebu Ode, a town in Ogun State Nigeria. This annual festival usually takes place the third day after Eid El Kabir to pay homage and show respect to the King the Awujale of Ijebuland. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
Fashionistas and culture custodians alike converged, their attire a symphony of colours. The regberegbe groups—age-based enclaves—paraded; Men and women, bedecked in finery, moved like characters from tales by moonlight. Their garments, meticulously crafted, told stories of centuries past.
A general view of a customised shoe worn by members of the Egbe Bobasete during the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on June 18, 2024. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
A woman takes something out of her purse during the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on June 18, 2024. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
Members of the Egbe Obaneye Obinrin parade to pay homage to the King, Awuja Ile of Ijebuland, during the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on June 18, 2024. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
A group of women with their matching Aso Ebi attire stand in a line during the Regberegbe parade to pay homage to the King, Awuja Ile of Ijebuland, during the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on June 18, 2024. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
A general view of glee worn worn by members of the Regberegbe Egbe Jagunmolu Obirinrin during the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on June 18, 2024. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
Sanyan silk, woven by deft hands, clung to shoulders like liquid gold. Alaari cloth and Etu fabric whispered secrets of ancient looms, while adire patterns danced in defiance of time. And amidst this kaleidoscope, contemporary brocades and lace gowns shimmered—a fusion of heritage and modernity.
Members of the Egbe Bobasete during their procession at the annual Ojude Oba festival, Ijebu Ode June 18th 2024 (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)Members of the Egbe Gbobamayegun Obinrin gather during the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on June 18, 2024. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
Members of the Egbe Jagunmolu Obirinrin parade to pay homage to the King, Awuja Ile of Ijebuland, during the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on June 18, 2024. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
Two men adjust their caps before the procession to pay homage to the King, Awuja Ile of Ijebuland, during the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on June 18, 2024. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
Drums reverberated, urging feet to sway and indigenes, friends, and associates—bound by threads of kinship—moved as one. Their steps, a choreography of belonging, bridging past and present.
Drummers entertain guest during the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on June 18, 2024. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
A group of women of the Egbe Obaneye parade to pay homage to the King, Awuja Ile of Ijebuland, during the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on June 18, 2024. . (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
A group of women of the Regberegbe parade pay homage to the King, Awuja Ile of Ijebuland, during the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on June 18, 2024. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
An attendee reacts to a song during the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on June 18, 2024. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
A man from Egbe Gobaniyi Okunrin dances as he bears a gift to present to the King, Awuja Ile of Ijebuland, during the annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode on June 18, 2024. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN / AFP)
