Beyond maiden Ogbomoso Cradle Carnival, by Oba Adesina AMAO
HRH Reuben Adesina Amao JP, DSS (rtd), fsi, is the traditional ruler of Aaje Ologo in Ogbomoso North local government, with the title, Alaaje of Aaje Ologo.
I wish all Ogbomosos home and in the diaspora the best of this season. May the new year be the best for us.
While reflecting on the outgone year, particularly as it affected Ogbomoso, l felt most enthused about the staging of the Ogbomoso Cradle Carnival in December. I concluded it’s a good thing to have happened to us; the celebratory mood, joy, love, unity, camaraderie andthe refocussing that characterized the carnival are stimulating.
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Going forward, l wish to talk on the lessons derived from the biggest social congregation in Ogbomosoland and on the way forward.
The conceptualization of the carnival by His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, is commendable. His unwavering determination also guided his choice of the organizing committee, which he persistently pushed to achieve the laudable feat. My take on the success of the carnival is that Oba Ghandi just fulfilled a crucial role/duty of a traditional ruler. A traditional ruler is a custodian of culture, custom, ethics and values, and these he needs to promote in all ways, though without causing infringement on government’s laws etc. We need to protect and preserve our cultural heritage through unyielding support to programmes that put focus on our culture.
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Oba Ghandi successfully demonstrated that there is separation between culture and religion. There is no doubt there is a marked difference, and one should not infringe on another. They should not be mixed; there should not be conflicts. Religion is about our relationship with God, our faith in Him, while culture embodies the way we live, an alignment of our convenience and comfortability with our environment. A cultural festival like the Cradle Carnival is thus merely a showcase of our culture to the world, which we want the world to appreciate and if possible travel down to our community to behold. Carnival events have become a major money spinner throughout the world, bringing in foreign exchange. We are where we are because of where we came from. Our forebears forged the way of living we call our culture today and so, showcasing some aspects of it to the world, to tell the world that this used to be our way of living is what a cultural festival is all about. Not ritualistic as some erroneously believe!
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Aside the benefits stated, the promotion of culture as we just saw tightened the fabric of unity in our land, it became an avenue for display of forgotten costumes and native foods rich and good for our health, greater bonding was fostered, when traditional rulers are adorned in similar attire it is a beauty to behold. We also beheld a blend of sophisticated and traditional hairdos by women, the festival diffused fear people used to have that coming back to their roots could endanger them, commercial activities boomed more than ever before, and people were inculcated with greater belief in their fatherland. The carnival is a marvelous strategy to bring people back to their roots through which they make contacts with their traditional rulers and others towards developing their land. It also provided a platform for old time friends to reunite. Furthermore, Ogbomoso is now known better than ever before all over the world. Oba Olaoye ensured equality in religion which is good for our oneness and growth. The gains can be explored to bring about progress, peace and the desired development.
Going forward
The carnival should be made bigger and finer in scope. Future editions should infuse building character among our youths rooted in culture through entertaining seminars;, there should be emphasis on leaning towards the traditional method of marriage – payment of dowries, vetting before wedding, ekun iyawo etc. Men need to be encouraged to uphold the headship of the family by being responsible. Also, the carnival can be a veritable platform for improved communication among the people to forge development. It can also be a platform to re-emphasize importance of regard and respect for elders by way of proper deference, traditional greeting modes and so on, dwelling on the physical and spiritual benefits therein.
We also need to make informed efforts towards having well-stocked museums and research centers, promote establishment of rural businesses, education, morals etc. We need to work assiduously towards peace development, religious harmony and encouragement of religious leaders to be positive in maintaining peace in their sermons.
The carnival should be expanded and its inclusiveness deepened. Also, farming needs to be encouraged to reduce food insecurity causing people to be beggars.
Ogbomoso Cradle Carnival will be a springboard to a new Ogbomoso. The gains of the maiden edition should be built upon to maximize its benefits. Continuous improvements and upgrading should be its characteristic.
Congratulations to Oba Ghandi, traditional rulers, chiefs, organizers and all sons and daughters of Ogbomosoland on the birth of a new experience in the community.
SCENES FROM THE CARNIVAL
