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Ileya Festiveal at Ijebu-Ode
Feb 2nd 2004
The Festival known as the Ojude Oba is held in Ijebu-Ode
every year, usually on the third day of Eid-El-Kabir or Ileya as the
Yoruba people call it. All Ijebu people are expected to come home for the
festival, kill a ram even if they are no longer Moslems and attend the
Ojude Oba to dance with their age grade before the Awujale. Ijebu people
are noted for their love of display and this festival allows the various
groups to show off their wealth and prosperity.
Although at least fifteen people expressed interest in attending, in the
end because the day of the festival was not a public holiday, we were only
five. We met at the old tollgate at 8.30 and by 8.45 were on our way. The
road is comparatively good and there was not too much traffic so we were
in Ijebu-ode by 10 and were able to find a good parking place. We then
walked along to the palace of the Awujale. Once there we were able to get
a seat in the Stand in front of the Awujale and his chiefs where we were
able to get a very good view of the whole ceremony. Unfortunately the new
Governor of Ogun State was two hours late in arriving and as the show
could not start without him, we had a rather noisy time while waiting. I
have to admit that even I who have spent most of my life listening to the
drummers began to find it all a bit too much.
with%20Alhaji%20Ansekola(white).jpg)
Awujale of Ijebuland (Red) with
Alhaji Ansekola (white) |
The Age Groups sit together on the opposite side from the Stand and are
called up one after the other, first the men and then the women of the
same grade. Accompanied by drummers, they dance forward to greet the
Awujale. Most of the women’s groups wore the conventional lace buba and
iro with damask headtie and shawl but the men’s groups were more
imaginative, wearing several different variations on Yoruba male dress.
All the members would have been saving up all year to be able to afford
the expensive outfits they wore. It all made a very splendid appearance
and of course the moment their turn to dance is over they begin to think
of what they will wear for next year’s festival.
Dancing for Awujale |
After the age groups come the various extended family sets with their
horsemen. The horses are ridden in the midst of the crowd but it is quite
obvious that they are used to being with people so there are no problems
when they rear up and prance backwards and forwards showing off their
paces. The horsemen dismount and climb up to the Awujale to greet and be
greeted then lead their company back to the family compound to eat, drink
and dance most of the night.
Drummers and Praise-Singers
greeting Awujale |
We left between 3 and 3.30 so were able to beat the traffic. The town was
packed with people and I am sure that by 5 o’ clock or so the streets
would have been one solid traffic jam. On our way out of town we passed
streams of cars entering, most likely people who had gone to work but had
left early so as not to miss this important day.
This is not a tourist festival; it is performed by Ijebu-Ode people for
their own pleasure and enjoyment so if you can’t stand heat and noise or
are afraid of crowds and horses this is definitely not for you. But I
loved every minute of it and yes, I’m already thinking about what I will
wear next year!
Betti O. (Scotland)
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Lagos Branch
