Anjola has heard a lot about the Ojude Oba festival as an indigene of Ijebu Ode land.
His parents and family have told him a lot about the festival that happens two days after the Muslim festival, Eid-El-Kabir. Since it was Ileya season, Anjola was looking forward to the festival.
It was early in the morning, and Anjola was still sleeping and dreaming of the festival. He heard his cousin Sade shouting, “It’s Ojude Oba today”. Anjola jumped off the bed and rushed out, excited and ready to experience it.
He got dressed in his green and gold aso ebi, matching what everyone in the family wore, and got into his dad’s car and off to the palace. On their way, Anjola saw horse riders gallop past, and he clapped loudly with a smile on his face.
As they approached the palace, he saw people with colourful matching clothes. His dad had told him that everyone joins the festival, Muslims, Christians, and others, that it is a day of peace, joy, and unity.
The families, called age-grade groups (Regberegbe), lined up and took turns to greet the king, showing their love for their culture and the Awujale. He and his family arrived at the palace and joined them to greet the Awujale (the king), dancing and smiling.
Warriors and royal families rode big horses across the palace square. People cheered as drummers played and singers praised the king.
Anjola felt like part of something big as he watched the crowd and everyone jubilating. “Now I understand what unity means,” he said. His father said, “This is our way of saying we respect you, our king.”
That day, Anjola learned that celebrating culture and respecting others brings people together.
Anjola looked up at his father and shouted at the top of his voice, “I want to come every year!”
What Makes Ojude Oba So Special?
Exploring unity, royalty, and Ijebu traditions in a child-friendly way, people from different places and religions come together as one big family. It shows how much the Ijebu people respect their king.
Even though the festival follows a Muslim holiday, everyone, Christians, Muslims, and others, join to celebrate. It’s a time to show off Ijebu traditions, songs, clothes, and pride. Ojude Oba is a time to celebrate Ijebu culture, show respect, and wear your best!
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