- FOR THE RECORD
A new legend is born: Ogbomoso Carnival of thrill, glamour (see over 100 photos)
Femi OGUNLANA
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For five days (December 19 to 23), Ogbomoso romped into life, unbelievably. The hitherto sleepy city roared boisterously – activities spiked, the economy boomed, joy ruled the land, it’s sparking of a new mood, a new spirit is evolving.
For years, patriotic indigenes had made case for staging of a festival that will be all encompassing, that will bring people together, and provide opportunities for a showcase of Ogbomoso’s unique cultural heritage. But nobody could kindle it; individuals, groups strove to bring it on but none was comprehensive. It became a tall order, something unachievable. Other communities year-in, year-out, floated festivals, many, more than once in a year. This was eloquently attested to by the Oyo state commissioner for culture, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun when he said at the opening ceremony of the Ogbomoso Cradle Carnival that it’s elating the city is now a bastion for cultural festival. “This is my first time attending a cultural event in Ogbomosoland, and I am thoroughly impressed,” he said, as he advocated “unity and cooperation to form the bedrock of development in the land.”
The credit goes to His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, the traditional head of the community, the Soun. His brave vision spawned it. It’s a massive mission piloted to reality. Many impugned the idea, sniggered at it, attempted to deodorize it in religious flavour but like the goal-getter he has been all his life, the Oba sniggered at the snigger, drove his team, sparing no expenses and the goal bounced into life beautifully.
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The effects no doubt will linger and the memory will be everlasting, the perspective has changed in Ogbomoso. A new wave of unity is blowing, a new sentiment of positivity and believability is taking over. Business people benefited immensely with amplified sales, service providers were hilarious as they recorded a ramp up in income generation. Enthusiasm pervaded the land.
The successes of the first edition can be built upon, the springboard has been knitted, the sky is now the limit. Oba Ghandi has written his name in gold. The jinx is broken. Let us give applause for the king. A new legend is born!
The maiden edition of the Cradles Carnival came with a bang.
Day one: The opening ceremony was spectacular with displays by Egunguns, performing magicians including those of Hausa stock, traditional drummers’ performance, showcase of extinction-threatened traditional cuisine, artistes’ performances and so on. It was exhilarating, lit up with the presence of representative of Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, the Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation, Hon. Abiola Abdulraheem, who urged the Soun to sustain efforts to promote the zone’s cultural heritage, and the Oyo state Commissioner for Culture, Dr Olatunbosun.
Day 2 featured official installation of the head of traditional worshipers in the city, the Araba Oluawo, Chief Alao Opeyemi Makinde; Jumat prayer led by Palace Imam, Sheikh Habeeb Ayilara, first ever in the palace, and a grand Oole Oba festival, which was to have been held in March but put forward to incorporate it into the larger carnival.
Odun Oole Oba
The Oole Oba festival is an age-long cultural festivity in honour of the ancestors of the Soun ruling houses. It is a feast by the members of the Soun dynasty celebrated with the popular bean delicacy – moinmoin (traditionally, oole) with eko (cold pap). These are provided in the various houses of the princes and princesses, which is relished by guests. This takes place pre- and all afternoon. By 4pm or thereabouts the families flock to the community hall, the Ogunlola Hall, to accompany each of their family special Egungun (called Ago) for a colourful procession to the theatre of the jollification behind the palace to pay homage to the Soun, who sits under the Ajagbon tree, the tree believed to have been discovered by Soun Ogundiran Ogunlola, founder of the dynasty. He set his camp under the Ajagbon tree, the tree however perished during a rainstorm in 2022. But Oba Ghandi mounted his throne on the spot of the historical tree to receive his kith and kin and bless them and the community as a whole. The family’s ancestral Egunguns, whose venturing out usually follows the order of their ascension rotation i.e. Aburumaku, Gbagun, Laoye, Bolanta and Odunaro, with their family members in toe, accompanied by intense drumming, then pass by. These Egunguns are not the usual ones, they have fitted to their lapel a long flap of expensive dazzling clothes behind, of ofi, sanyan, damask etc, which is propped up with sticks, which pops it up continuously to produce a wavy pattern. It’s a beauty and delight to watch, a moving spectacle.
Family members don ankara fabric chosen for the occasion. In the past, each family selected its own design but in recent time, a common dress is picked for all the families. Methink the era of different dresses should be returned as this gives room for competition which often, if healthy, ignites growth.
Each Egungun thereafter takes a sit on a stool beside the monarch arranged in a horizontal row. The Oba offers them gift of schnapps and cash.
The festival is spiced up additionally with the appearance of the fearful, energetic Egungun Lobanika bearing a sword lunging hither thither to spark commotion as people run from him, all adding to the tension and excitement. Also, Egungun Kindin ventures out with his followers holding thickset bamboo. The presence of the two ancient Egunguns introduces an enthralling side attraction that aromatizes the event.
Day three of the Cradles Carnival featured novelty match for the sight impaired persons, held at the playground of Anglican Grammar School. A number of Nollywood actors of the Yoruba sub-sector led by Lalude and Saidi Balogun also held the spectators spell-bound with thrilling performances. Also on this day, the 2nd edition of Orumogege Golf Competition took place at the Ogbomoso Recreation Club Golf Course. There were further entertaining moments later in the evening.
Day four, coronation anniversary thanksgiving was held at the Beulah Baptist Centre, well-attended. Then, there was the beauty pageant at the palace in the evening.
At different theatres, activities unfurled, music concerts and so on went on to produce lasting impact.
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Then, on the final day, December 23, what’s tagged Grand finale unfolded. The spectacle was staged at the Soun Stadium. In word and deed it was a grand climax. Parade of elegance, colour, panache and class characterized the event. Different groups, communities adorned in beautiful attires formed star attractions reminiscent of the Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state. Beyond the show of traditional attires adornment, scintillating cultural displays, speeches and so on flavoured the occasion, culminating in a round off concert by Fuji ace, Saheed Osupa. Among the guests were Oba Dokun Abolarin, the Orangun of Ila-Orangun, a bosom friend of Soun; Aale of Okelerin, Oba Samuel Babatunde Amao; Oloko of Oko Oba Akinola and 90 percent of traditional rulers from Ogbomoso zone. The cultural icon, Iba Gani Adams, the Are Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, also added colour with his presence.
A sweet memory that will live with us for long has been scripted. It can be polished, improved upon to make it truly the “biggest carnival” in the country, as boasted by the Oba months ago. Even this maiden edition can compete for that accolade, it was five days of gripping, captivating events, on a big scale that turned the attention of the world on Ogbomoso. Now, people will look forward to the December of Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival.
“I wish it will not end,” a participant, Benjamin Adeleke, who came down from Lagos, told The Insight on Monday. “It is fun, now, l have something to look forward to.”
Kudos to the irrepressible Oba Ghandi, kudos to the Mr. Williams Adeleye-led organizing committee, applause for Governor Seyi Makinde for supporting the vision, all Ogbomosos who support the movement – we deserve huge acclaim too.
A new legend is born. The jinx is broken!
OVER 100 PHOTOS COLLECTION BY OGBOMOSO INSIGHT OF THE BREATHTAKING CARNIVAL
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