History has it that Odeda festival preceded Ojude Oba and was an annual event, in which the worshippers of the various sects of the traditional religion such as Sango, Egungu, Osun, Yemule, Ogun etc assembled to disclose their identities by dancing in turns to drums and songs before the Awujale, Olisa, other prominent chiefs and the people of the town. Chief Kuku a prominent Ijebu son had been a party to this event, but could no longer participate now that he had become a Muslim. He therefore decided to replace it with another festival in conformity with his new religion, and established Ita-Oba Festival
In one particular Odeda festival, the pagans had assembled in the palace performing their dances. …show more content…
It is usually a dance, but more importantly, a dance with meaning. Each age group creates the spectacle at the expansive lawn that separates the king and his guests from the crowd. That makes the festival an inspiring experience. As time went by, this tradition metamorphosed into what is known as Ojude Oba Festival and has since been embraced by not only Ijebu at home and in diaspora, but also by millions of peoples within and outside Nigeria. The Ojude Oba festival is a classic lesson in religious tolerance. Indeed this festival, nay religious tolerance is the gift of the Ijebu to Nigeria and the rest of the …show more content…
It was a period when men and women slugged it out as if on the fashion runaway. From exotic lace fabrics to assorted shoes, bags and other fashion accessories, the venue of the celebration is always sparked with a display of colours. The traditional Etu, Aso Oke always come alive, designed and cut into agbada and dansiki. It is a mixture of the ancient and modern when some men came out in Aso Oke mixed with damask fabric. Ojude Oba festival, is what some people tagged a parade of fashion. This is the time that most Ijebu people come home to celebrate. It is about the social and cultural responsiveness on the part of the