BY LAW IBITOYE
Tradition and culture drive community development,
Ilupeju Ekiti, a town sited on the hill top, believes in the efficacy of prayers. Hence, every 24th February is set aside for ‘Igba and Mosanyin’ festivals. It is a tradition that has been in existence before the amalgamation of Eseta- Egosi, now Ilupeju Ekiti to seek divination from Ifa what the new year holds for the town and to pray for all sons and daughters of Ilupeju Ekiti, home and in the diaspora and also for the development of Ilupeju Ekiti.
‘Igba and Mosanyin’ festivals known as ‘ODUN OLOKE MOKE’ ,OLODO MODO’ are celebrated the same day by the ruling houses from EGOSI and ESETA. During these festivals, indigenes from EGOSI celebrate Igba festival at Ewo palace while indigenes from ESETA celebrate Mosanyin at ‘Utaa’ palace in Ilese. These festivals allow indigenes of these two communities, now Ilupeju Ekiti to stay put in their area to celebrate, that’s why it is called ‘odun OLOKE MOKE’ OLODO MODO’ Although there is no stringent law that says persons from ESETA cannot witness EGOSI festival.
It suffices to know that in the olden days ,Oloja Egosi- and Oloja Eseta were the heads of each of the communities saddled with the responsibilities of administering the two communities but now Apeju is the head of Ilupeju Ekiti.
Religiously following the tradition of their forefathers, the Apeju of Ilupeju Ekiti, Oba David Sunday Awe AKINGBADE and his second in command, Obanla, His Highness Ogunsola Olukayode Sunday on Monday, 24th February gathered at their ancestral palaces( Ewo and Ilese) where they made divination and offered prayers for Ilupeju sons and daughters, home and in the diaspora including residents for their well being, progress and development of Ilupeju Ekiti.
On the significance of Igba festival, Oba Awe said, it’s king’s festival which is an avenue for me to pray for all sons and daughters of Ilupeju Ekiti to prosper in their chosen careers, I pray for peace; through this prayer, untimely death and catastrophe are warded off. Also, I pray for the rapid development of Ilupeju Ekiti. When my subjects are comfortable wherever they are, it will have a significant impact in Ilupeju Ekiti. My prayers during this festival are sufficient for this year’s administration.
On his part, the Obanla of Ilupeju Ekiti, His Highness, Ogunsola Sunday said prayers are catalyst for community development. He said Mosanyin festival affords him, concerned chiefs and stakeholders to seek the face of gods for the smooth running of Ilupeju Ekiti and the well-being of residents of the town.” Our forefathers designed the festivals to be celebrated the same day for reasons best known to them, we cannot change it, despite the fact that Ilupeju Ekiti is one, the tradition of Egosi remains ditto Eseta and we are maintaining that for the progress of Ilupeju Ekiti. During these festivals, Apeju and myself led our subjects to pray for peace to reign in Ilupeju Ekiti, we prayed against ugly things of life and we asked for rain that will not destroy our properties.” Obanla stated .
Also, Pa Olaoye David Awe reiterated that Igba festival is celebrated by royal families to showcase the power of deities handed over to them by their forefathers for the smooth administration of Egosi now Ilupeju Ekiti. According to Pa, Olaoye ‘Igba festival showed the tradition of every street in Egosi and it was during this period that Apeju prays for all indigenes, age grades, and residents for peaceful coexistence.”
The two venues of the festivals witnessed large numbers of indigenes, residents and people from neighbouring communities at this year’s festivals.
Oba David Sunday Awe and his second in command, while congratulating indigenes of Ilupeju Ekiti for 2025, Igba and Mosanyin festivals, promised to uphold the culture and traditions of Ilupeju Ekiti. The duo enjoined indigenes of the town to be good ambassadors wherever they find themselves.