Mammoth crowd as Olukotun heralds Egungun festival, Araba Ogbomoso backs Soun's template

Mammoth crowd as Olukotun heralds Egungun festival, Araba Ogbomoso backs Soun’s template

Inaolaji OLAYODE

Egungun Olukotun

A large crowd converged at Taraa area Ogbomoso Oyo state Wednesday, to watch the entertaining performance of Olukotun, whose outing annually signals the commencement of Egungun festival in the town.

Olukotun which is regarded as the Egungun trailblazer in the town, in accordance with its tradition, made its appearance in the evening and danced in celebration in the Taraa precinct to the admiration of the hundreds of spectators who thronged the arena. Following its energetic display, the next one and a half weeks will witness outing by different Egunguns on their scheduled day. The festival is therefore expected to end on Sunday, July 27.

Meanwhile, the Soun of Ogbomosoland His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, has directed that Egunguns would now restrict their outing and displays to their immediate neighbourhood. This is to forestall the hooliganism and violence increasingly being associated with the festival in recent years which often arise during the peregrination of Egunguns round the town, during which miscreants often foment trouble employing use of dangerous weapons. That is why the Kabiyesi outlawed the walkabout aspect of the festival. This implies that the show-up at Okelerin, the age-long Egungun rendezvous, in the evening, has been abrogated. This seems to align with the aspiration of the Okelerin people under the present Aale of Okelerin Oba Samuel Babatunde Amao, as they have become disenchanted with the violence often unleashed on their neighbourhood, not by the Egungun adherents but by intruders.

Retold, the new format is now for the Egunguns to play the Olukotun script, which is display in your neighbourhood, no ambling around visiting relatives and other enthusiasts or admirers to offer prayers and receive gifts.

In lieu of that, the Egunguns are now given the opportunity of venturing out in December during the newly launched Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival for display in a controlled atmosphere and before high profile guests and spectators.

Expressing support for this new template, the Araba of Ogbomosoland High Chief Alao Opeyemi Makinde stressed the new pattern is welcome.

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“This new way of celebrating the festival is welcome. Each Egungun should display in its environment. The violence often witnessed during the festival is worrisome. It tarnishes the image of the Egungun festival,” Araba Oluawo said during a chat with ogbomosoinsightonline.com recently.

“I charge all Egunguns and their worshippers to restrict their display to the frontage of their houses and immediate areas. I admonish the entire people of Ogbomoso to avoid violent acts during the festival.

Araba Oluawo added, “I appeal to all Egungun worshippers to celebrate with peace and tranquility and display within their various areas.

Araba Oluawo

“There will be enough space for proper display during Ogbomoso Cradle Carnival in December.”

Chief Makinde blamed non-adherents of Egungun for the violence arguing no true Egungun worshipper who had committed huge amount to organise the festival would cause trouble.

“I can vouch that no Egungun worshipper will nurture the thought of unleashing violence. I therefore appeal to non-traditonalists to stop poking nose into the festival. They should not give us bad name or portray Egungun in bad light. We will maintain maximum tranquility during the festive period.

“I appeal to all indigenes to maintain peace during the festival. No Egungun faithful will cause violence. An individual who commits millions of naira to the celebration will not cause trouble.

“Unscrupulous individuals should distance themselves from the festival. Other religion adherents should concentrate on their festivals too. We don’t disturb Christian and Muslim faithfuls during their festive periods, they shouldn’t disturb us.”

While emphasizing the need for greater development in Ogbomoso, the Araba said, “Kabiyesi’s 25-year agenda will engender positive change in the town. I am sure. We should all support His Majesty.”