Why Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival is so unique - 10 reasons

Why Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival is so unique – 10 reasons

By Palace Team

The uniqueness of Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival cannot be controverted. It is one of a kind. The city had long longed for a carnival that would create a platform for showcasing of the culture and tradition of Ogbomosoland. The Ogbomoso agglomerate is a cultural enclave with a rich and diverse heritage. With people of various historical backgrounds and origins, a bastion of strength and bravery, a conglomerate of people of divergent royalties, a beacon of the finest of Yoruba language, cuisines, values and norms, a cultural festival birthed in its confines is bound to be vibrant. Its potentials for a distinctive cultural festival was thus recognised. The people yearned for it, several groups and individuals made shots at it at different times but no major headway or breakthrough was recorded.

It posed a big challenge; appearing within grasp yet so far in actualization, but the scenario changed with the ascension to the throne of His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III the Soun of Ogbomosoland. The new monarch came in with a whole new mindset, ideas and ideals. Possessing a stubborn can-do spirit, and distinguishably indomitable in nature, he in his first year came up with an all-embracing festival styled “Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival.” It came with a bang and embraced with excitement. Synthesizing a syntax as that denotation really kills it. “Cradle,” meaning “Beginning,” “Source,” “Origin,” invokes a feeling of nostalgia for the founding of Ogbomoso, a project that came off a forging of an admixture bands of adventurers. From conception to nomenclature to composite nature and staging, the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival carries the tag of superiority and uniqueness.

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Now, let’s look at the specific aspects and areas it reflects distinctiveness.

1. Broad in range and scope – multidimensional

The Cradles Carnival is broad in range and scope. It encompasses various aspects of our culture and tradition (Egungun, Oole festival of the Soun royal families); music concerts; talent hunts; beauty pageants; sports (golf, football tournament, marathon races, cycling); grand finale featuring adornment of elaborate attires, colourful parades, paying of homage; display of traditional cuisines; religious thanksgivings; traditional worships; magical displays and so on. It doesn’t only showcase one aspect, it embodies a whole lot of activities not common elsewhere. It’s uniquely multidimensional, an agglomerates of events.

2. Multi-day carnival

Its richness shows in the number of days it is staged unlike many others. The Cradles Carnival features pre-, main- and post carnival activities, spanning several days.

3. Multi-sectoral

It is inclusive of several aspects of our existence – sports, music and entertainment, culture, traditional homage paying, religion, economic, hospitality, communication etc. This gives it an edge.

4. A set for iconic celebrities

Participation by music and Nollywood stars, beauty pageants icons, celebrities, cultural aficionados, captains of industries, etc uniquely characterises Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival. As an instance popular online comedian with about 1.7million followers on Instagram – Agba Inaki – is billed to anchor this year’s programme.

5. Comes with features that make future expansion possible and easy – flexible

This is not a one-dimensional festival we are familiar with, the Cradles Carnival in outlook and structure though complex, is flexible and so can in the future be easily incorporated with other exciting programmes and activities. The first edition did not feature cycling but without hassles it got blended into it this year, no contradiction to the essence and soul of the carnival.

6. Unique complexity underscoring Ogbomoso’s capabilities

It is uniquely a complex weave of events exemplifying the innate capabilities of Ogbomoso. That gives it a big mileage.

7. Instant hit

The Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival is also exceptional on the crest of the rave reviews the first edition enjoyed and how the upcoming edition has been generating excitement across broad spectrums. Its scope, organisational skills that marked it, number of participants physically and online, mix of adventures, and unbeatable success made the first version an instant global hit.

8. Parade of royalties

The number of Obas, Baales and chiefs identifying with the carnival is unbelievably enormous. Ogbomoso is reputed to be a conglomerate of traditional rulers of antiquity, several with the mysthical beaded crown and historical narratives. Their enthusiastic showing off helps take the carnival to another level. Royal parade at its finest.

9. Showcase of forgotten local dishes

Yorubaland is blessed with varieties of traditional cuisines many whom are however going into extinction. One unique aspect of Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival is its display of these native dishes whose chefs are painstakingly sought. Sakada, ojojo, kengbe, aadun etc will be on show from the very first day of the carnival.

10. Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival distinguishably promotes artistic expression and creativity

That is an important highlight of the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival. It’s tasking people to look inward and exceed their limits in innovation and creativity even in technology.

Last line

The carnival is no doubt redefining Ogbomoso. It’s unraveling the community as a land of possibilities and excellence.

Long live Oba Ghandi

Long live Ogbomoso

Long live Oyo State

Long live Nigeria