Excitement as ‘Oja Iwa Festival’ set to hold in Ajaawa

Image caption: Alajaawa of Ajaawa HRM Oba Thompson Adeyeye Oyetunji Olumole 1

Excitement as ‘Oja Iwa Festival’ set to hold in Ajaawa

Khalid ABRAHAM

Advertisement

Ajaawa headquarters of Ogo-Oluwa local government area of Oyo state, has unveiled a traditional festival, whose maiden edition will hold November 6 and 7.

The Alajaawa of Ajaawa, His Royal Majesty Oba Thompson Adeyeye Oyetunji Olumole 1, made this disclosure to ogbomosoinsightonline.com during an interview Wednesday.

Oba Oyetunji enthusiastically informed the carnival was conceived to showcase the cultural and traditional values of the ancient town, adding it would foster unity and facilitate development.

Advertisement

The Oba informed the idea came off the Cradles Carnival in Ogbomoso, kickstarted by the Soun of Ogbomosoland Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III.

Advertisement

“We are starting a carnival in Ajaawa also, like that of Ogbomoso, the Cradles Carnival, introduced by His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III. Ajaawa is an ancient and historical town, it is home of culture and tradition. And we are set to showcase this to the world. Cradle Carnival has made Ogbomoso more popular and mad her a tourist destination, so, we are inaugurating Oja-Iwa Day to promote our community, our culture, foster unity and love and facilitate development,” the monarch said.

Advertisement

The two-day carnival will feature conferment of honorary titles on four distinguished individuals (two from Lagos, one each from Saki and Ibadan), ayo games, final of football competition, display by traditional hunters, chanting of oriki etc.

Advertisement

The permanent chairman of Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Council of Obas and Chiefs further disclosed the carnival would unveil the relationship between Ajaawa and the popular Oba River.

Advertisement

He also asserted that the mystery of “Oja” or “Ifunra” (strapper to hold babies in the back) will be demonstrated during the carnival. “Oja” is used to strap new born to the back of her mother in Yorubaland and some other cultures. In fact, the name Ajaawa was derived from Oja Iwa, according to the founding tradition of the town.

“How did Oja originate though we call it ifunra here? We will display this during the festival, that is the mystery of Oja Iwa,” Alajaawa said.

Advertisement