Origin of eyo festival. The History and Culture of Eyo Festival 2022-10-21
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The Eyo Festival is a traditional Yoruba cultural event held in Lagos, Nigeria. It is a colorful and elaborate ceremony that involves the procession of Eyo masqueraders, who are dressed in all-white clothing and wearing tall, plumed headdresses. The Eyo Festival is believed to have originated in the early 19th century, and it is closely tied to the history and traditions of the Yoruba people.
According to Yoruba mythology, the Eyo Festival was established to honor the memory of a powerful king named Olofin Adimula, who ruled over the city of Lagos in the early 1800s. Olofin Adimula was a wise and just ruler, and he was greatly revered by his people. However, he eventually fell ill and passed away, leaving his people in mourning. In order to honor his memory, the Yoruba people decided to create a special ceremony to celebrate his life and legacy.
The Eyo Festival involves a procession of Eyo masqueraders, who are dressed in all-white clothing and tall, plumed headdresses. These masqueraders represent the spirits of Olofin Adimula and other ancestors, and they are believed to be endowed with special powers and spiritual knowledge. The Eyo Festival is a time for the Yoruba people to honor their ancestors and pay respect to their cultural traditions.
The Eyo Festival is also a time for celebration and joy, and it is accompanied by music, dance, and other forms of entertainment. The event is typically held on a Saturday, and it attracts a large number of visitors and tourists from all over the world.
In conclusion, the Eyo Festival is a traditional Yoruba cultural event that has its roots in the early 19th century. It is a celebration of the life and legacy of Olofin Adimula, a powerful Yoruba king, and it is a time for the Yoruba people to honor their ancestors and pay respect to their cultural traditions. The Eyo Festival is a colorful and elaborate ceremony that is accompanied by music, dance, and other forms of entertainment, and it attracts a large number of visitors and tourists from all over the world.
History of Eyo Festival
Thus, you have Eyo Adimu, Eyo Oniko, Eyo Ologede and for the chiefs you have Eyo Eletu-Odibo. History had it that the Orisas were kept at places like Ibefun, Oke Ipa and even near Iperu. It is not certain if they were the first set of people to introduce Awo-Opa to Lagos. The state capital is Ikeja. No part of the person carrying the Eyo is expected to be seen. And on May 20, 2017, which was the last Eyo festival held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lagos state, to honour the existence of the late Oba of Ikate Kingdom Oba Yekini Adeniyi Elegushi Kunsela 11. Owing to the fascinating appeal, they succeeded in introducing it as part of interment rites of passage for the departing Oba at that time, Oba Ado who is believed to have married one of their cousins, Olugbani.
The origins of this observance are found in the inner workings of the secret societies of Lagos. The Eyo festival involves merrymaking, feasting, and dancing which is enjoyed by the people of Lagos state. West African secret societies: their organisations, officials and teaching. Organized for special occasions apart from the death of prominent chiefs, elders, or installation of a new Oba, it is also used to entertain at special state functions or occasions. Also on November 26, 2011, another festival was held to commemorate the life of Prince Yesufu Abiodun Oniru, a Lagos nobleman. This fee is paid to the Iga — ruling house, whose colors and Akete the Eyo wears.
Camping the Orisas It was the belief in the ancient time that the dress, the head carvings and all instruments for the staging of the Orisas should not be kept within dwelling houses or within urban communities. After the Eyo festival, it is the belief of the people of Lagos that this festival has taken away death, sickness, lack, and suffering and has brought wealth, good life, prosperity, and other good desires of Lagosians. However, people think that the play is an example of the traditional African celebration that predates the contemporary carnival in Brazil. It is an outlet used to showcase the culture of the Isale Eko people, since it can be organized for special occasions apart from the death of prominent chiefs, elders, or installation of a new Oba. But if you have the Adamu, then it does not speak of himself but by demonstration or through the aide de-camp, is the Laba bag of mystical powers bearer. This is believed to drive away evil spirits from the occasion. Importance Of The Eyo Festival In Lagos The cultural significance of the Eyo festival is its usage in the funeral of a king Obas or chiefs.
It was at this stage of its history that it acquired the appellation of Orisa Oko. Lagos residents are largely concentrated on Lagos Island, also known as Isale Eko. Oniko is kept by the Onigemo family who are descendants of Adamu or Sogbo. They must ensure that Eyo group keep to the rules and regulations of Adamu Orisa Play or Eyo Play. These years were 1903, 1906 and 1909 respectively. The Lagos Island Council should resuscitate its special committee on the history of Lagos to examine the aspect relating to Eyo.
The Eyo Festival In Nigeria: History, Importance And Dates
The Eyo festival is mostly held on a Saturday, with the week preceding the Saturday of the festival filled with consultations, announcements and adverts via Koranga and Gbedu drums which are only beaten during an Eyo Festival. Retrieved 24 November 2011. Only adult males may robe as Eyo; but sometimes, there may be a child Eyo in a group. Agere as an Orisa Agere was created an Orisa in the present century. The origin of Eyo To which tribe or ethnic group does Eyo or Adamu Orisa play belong? At the conclave, the Orisas would be received by the elders of the Adimu Cult where prayers and necessary rituals would be exchanged. It is, however, to be noted that Benin Influence covered a larger area of the Water side, the Lagoon Area of Lagos State.
Oba Ado was the first ruler of Lagos to have his seat of government at Iga Iduganran. The Akinshiku, the titular hard of the Adimu Cult is usually appointed from the Abegede Group. Everybody is always excited on such a day, although there are bound to be plenty of hawkers and food sellers. It is, indeed, a modern edition to the play. In fact, an Eyo may easily cover 20 to 30 kilometers on that day.
History has it that the Eyo masquerade is not original to Lagos Island but was brought there sometimes around 1750 by two unnamed personalities from Ibefun and Ijebu communities in present day Ogun State. The major music which is used during the Eyo festival is the KOROGUNand this music is played with the use of IYA-LU, two OMELE drums, IHONKOLO, and the gong. There is a popular Elegbara shrine at Iworo in Awori area and the Iworo people were contacted and Opeoluwa and Olofina people were initiated into the cult and granted permission to establish an Elegbara shrine and grove at Iddo. Drummers and people playing other instruments accompany the Eyo masqueraders as they move around the streets of Lagos during the Eyo festival. History has it that the Eyo masquerade is not original to Lagos Island but was brought there sometimes around 1750 by two unnamed personalities from Ibefun and Ijebu communities in present day Ogun State. Inclusion of Eyo The Adamu Orisa play continued in Lagos after its establishment with the three Orisas as the only set of masquerades.
Masquerades from different Eyo groups are usually identified using their AGA Gowns. This was a result of the compelling appeal made by them. The Onikoyi Chieftaincy Family claimed that their ancestor, one Adeyemi, a former Onikoyi at Ikoyi Ile in old Oyo, who migrated to Lagos at the time of Olofin brought Awo-Opa to Lagos. The order upon which three Orisas were brought to Lagos has since been the order of their outing on each, Adamu Orisa play day. They also use these sticks to beat offenders of the law and also to harass friends.
However, in the hierarchy of Adamu Orisa cult, the Oniko takes precedence. For a creative writer, it meant happiness, fresh breath, a new beginning, and joy. The white-clad Eyo masquerades represent the spirits of the dead, and are mentioned in Yoruba as "agogoro Eyo" The first procession in Lagos was on the 20th of February, 1854, to commemorate the lifetime of the Oba Akintoye. The Adimu Cult has some interaction with the Osugbo Cult due to the involvement of late Apena Ajasa, who held the offices of Akinshiku, the Apena of the Osugbo Cult and that of Olorogun-Atabo, all at the same time. However, with modernization and westernization, the notion of eminence has evolved to commemorate visits of foreign and state dignitaries, therefore showcasing the intangible cultural heritage of Lagos. The sticking similarity between the Egungun Baba-lago, and Eyo cannot be over looked. The royal Eyos include OLOREGUN, AROMIRE, OLOTO, BAJULAYE, AKINTOYE, ELETU-ODIBO ETI, and OSHODI among others.
One Bante Seda is said to be the first Agere. Family members of different specific Eyo groups, including both nuclear and extended family members, were only allowed to participate in the play, but anybody else who wanted to join them for the festival may, even if they had no familial ties to any of the families. The performance now takes place at a host of culturally significant events. Johnson in his book The History of the Yorubas disposed that Eyo was an initiation of Egungun seen at Oyo. Therefore, it was the practice to create camp for them in villages of scheduled places to protect their sacredness. The Eyo festival is truly an awesome display of intangible cultural heritage.
