Orosun Festival returns to Idanre with colourful celebration, cultural pride and tourism potential, as locals call for wider promotion and government support

Orosun Festival boosts Ondo tourism as the people of Idanre celebrate one of Yorubaland’s most vibrant and spiritual traditions.

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Held from 15 to 19 June 2025, the colourful celebration honours Orosun, wife of the legendary Olofin Aremitan, founder of the ancient town.

The annual event draws visitors with traditional dances, chants and rhythmic drumming, filling the hills of Idanre with music and memory.

For the people, Orosun remains a powerful ancestral figure whose tragic death, rooted in betrayal, still echoes through the land. Her spirit is invoked for fertility, peace and abundance, with prayers and offerings made in reverent tribute.

The festival’s significance stretches beyond spirituality. Local leaders say it holds key economic promise. Chief Lawrence Akinboni called on both government and the private sector to step in.

“We urge the government and private sector to support us in promoting this festival, which showcases our rich cultural heritage and attracts tourists,” he said.

Prince William Mayowa Aroloye echoed this, describing the Orosun Festival as a vital expression of Yoruba identity. “It is a celebration that showcases our rich history and traditions, and we are proud to share it with the world,” he said.

Ondo State is home to natural treasures such as the Idanre Hills, Ebomi Lake, Igbo Olodumare and the Igbokoda Waterfront. By integrating these into a broader tourism strategy built around cultural festivals like Orosun, the state can position itself as a prime destination for heritage tourism.

Visitors this year were seen climbing the ancient hills, buying crafts from local markets and joining in community rites that connect the past to the present. The atmosphere was joyful, but the call for more visibility and investment was clear.

Cultural custodians believe that with sustained backing, the Orosun Festival can become a landmark event on the global calendar. Its power lies not just in spectacle, but in its role as a living tradition that offers both spiritual and economic renewal.

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As the drums of Idanre fall silent for another year, hope rises that the legacy of Orosun will find new strength in the hands of leaders willing to invest in heritage.