Origin of eyo festival. The Eyo Festival In Nigeria: History, Importance And Dates 2022-12-16
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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.
The Eyo Festival of Lagos
Retrieved 24 November 2011. The sticking similarity between the Egungun Baba-lago, and Eyo cannot be over looked. It is necessary to state, for the avoidance of doubt, that what Ejilu and Malaki introduced or brought to Lagos were the three Orisas that is, Adimu, Oniko and Ologede excluding the Eyo, the masquerade, that wears the flowing gown Agbada with an over flowing cloth, carrying the Opambata stick. These years were 1903, 1906 and 1909 respectively. The festival then culminates at the Tafawa Balewa Square TBS , where the Eyo will be on parade.
Before the main festival, there is a week-long OPANBATAshow. The The word "Eyo" also refers to the costumed dancers, referred to as the masquerades that begin during the festival. This was a result of the compelling appeal made by them. The origin and family of Ejilu and Malaki and the Orisas Ejilu Malaki and Olugbani their sister were said to have come to Lagos from Benin at the time of Oba Ado. In order to protect the Orisas and control the surging crowd the idea of the Eyo in white flowing robes Agbada was conceived.
The Eyo Festival In Nigeria: History, Importance And Dates
The Eyo masquerades are known to beat people who use any of the prohibited items or break any of the rules and regulations with their staff when seen. By Alade Aromashodu THE distinctive symbolic festival and the heart of traditionalism in Lagos, Adamu Orisa Play, otherwise known as Eyo masquerade trooped out to the streets of Lagos Island, popularly called Eko hinterland of Lagos on Saturday, May 20, 2017 to mark the 50th Anniversary of Lagos State. Significance The Eyo festival is organized under the auspices of the Yoruba tradition, as well as social organizations or clubs. The crowd of supporters following the Eyo does not wear white robes Imagine the spectacle of thousands of white robed figures in colourful hats, flowing ribbons, men women and children milling about the streets singing and dancing. Eyo Festival is unique to Lagos Due to its history and tradition, the Eyo festival is only held in Lagos. They must ensure that Eyo group keep to the rules and regulations of Adamu Orisa Play or Eyo Play.
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. Eyo Orisa Oniko is next to Eyo Orisa Adimu in rank but that Oba Adele, during his reign, asked for Okanlabato to assume the second position and it has been like that since then. Two other Lagos chiefs, the Modile and Onisemo, both Ogalado chiefs owned and maintained an Irele each. It is also a necessity for crowning a new king or giving out a high-level chieftaincy title in Lagos state. Today, the various Orisas are kept by descendants or relations of Ejilu, Malaki and Olugbani. On a Saturday, Eyo is normally held.
Retrieved 23 November 2011. This factor seems to be one of the expressions of the inherent dynamic in the tradition of Ifá - the Cult of Wisdom amongst the Yoruba. Coker, a Lagos high chief, the Olori Adimu, and the Olori Eyo of the Adimu Eyo cultural masquerade. The fact, therefore, remains that keeping the Orisas in any particular place does not change its ownership or origin. It is claimed that Chief Kebo or Olorogun-Atebo, brought Adimu and Esu from Benin to Lagos.
In answering the question which I posed, my answer is that Eyo and Adamu Orisa play belonged to the Ekos. . The festival dates back to the 19 th century when the first play was held to commemorate the life of Oba King Akintoye of Lagos. Eyo festival has had a lot of impact in tourism right from the time the Portuguese first set foot on Eko and christened it Lagos, the Island has attracted foreigners on account of its many advantages as a seaport. The unique feature of this event is its infrequent staging, the Eyo does not hold on an annual basis like the popular Lagos carnivals of Olowogbowo, Oko-Faji etc.
Therefore, an Eyo festival is to be held in honour of a departed Oba a mandatory farewell rite of Lagos, a high-ranking Chief, an Elder of a ruling family or for the enthronement of a new Oba or new Head of an Iga palace. History has it that Opeoluwa, An Ogalade chief consulted Ifa and suggest to Olofin to worship Elegbara. Only a very old and spiritually advanced male can robe as the Adimu. A lagoon divides or separates Lagos city. 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. Finally, the song says, let all co-operate for the success and all initiates should gather at the Irele conclave of Awo-Opa. Masquerades from different Eyo groups are usually identified using their AGA Gowns. As a result of this history, it has become a custom to sing the following Elegba song for the first Elegbara masquerade that would appear at the grove to dance. Olumide Lucas in his book The Religion of The Yorubas stated that the cult of Adamu Orisa is peculiar to the Aworis. Lagos is a well-known city that almost everyone has heard of. 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.
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 order upon which three Orisas were brought to Lagos has since been the order of their outing on each, Adamu Orisa play day. The Abegede and Ita Ado group belonged to the Benin class of chieftaincy, the Akarigberes. Vanguard learned that Eyo Orisa Oniko was next to Eyo Orisa Adimu in rank but that Oba Adele, during his reign asked for Okanlabato to assume the second position and it has been like that since then. The other Orisas while retaining their district name and characteristics became identified with the name Adamu Orisa.
Those who hold this view say that the traditional iconic staff of the masquerade known as Opambata, was invented as part of the regalia for the purpose of warding off undesirable elements. The song is, therefore, a testimony to the history of Elegba as stated above. Benin influence has been noted in Ikorodu, Baiyeku, Ibefun and a host of towns and villages within Lagos State. Please drop your comments. EYO Adamu Orisa, the man that started Eyo festival Adamu Orisa was introduced to Lagos by Ejilu and Malaki brothers to Olugbani, the Olori to Oba Ado.
