Ilesha Celebrates Iwude Ijesha Festival

It’s another season of funfair, as the people of Iwude Ijesha celebrates this year’s edition of Iwude Ijesha Festival. The festival which promises to be an unforgettable experience of cultural display and excitement which started on December 17 and end on December 27, would feature several cultural activities.
According to Chief Olu Falomo, chairman Iwude Ijesha planning committee, “This month-long festival which starts in the palace of Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland in ILesa, extends to other parts of Ijesaland such as Ipole, Ibokun and Ijebu-Ijessa, before ending where it started in Ilesa, Osun state. It is therefore a festival that involves not only Ilesa metropolis but also other parts of Ijesa north and south as they are now called today”.
The purpose is to bring all Ijesha people of all religion together to celebrate and felicitate at this all important festival and to bring all Ijesha people in the six local government areas of Ijeshaland together. The Iwude festival was started by Owa Obokun Owari, who celebrates it every three months. It was Owa Obokun Atakumosa who expanded it to the scope of Iwude a very elaborate festival” he added.
Mrs Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo, Chairman Publicity Iwude Ijesha planning committee noted that the festival affords Owa Obokun the opportunity to remember his ancestors, pay homeage to them, offer sacrifices and prayers to God for the good of his people, peace and prosperity in the land and abundant blessings for his subjects. It is also designed to ward off diseases, sickness and other problems from Ijeshaland through massive celebrations and joy and gladness.
OSUN DEFENDER