Festivals

Oyo State to host yemoja festival from October 10-27, 2024

Published

2 years ago

October 11, 2024

The Oyo State Government has announced the 2024 Yemoja Ibadan Festival, running from October 10 to 27. The festival aims to promote and preserve traditional heritage while honoring the Yemoja deity, symbolising motherhood and fertility.

The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering the culture and tourism sector as a vital driver of economic growth.

This was announced by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, during a press conference for the upcoming 2024 Yemoja Ibadan Festival held at the Council for Arts and Culture in Mokola, Ibadan.

Also read: Oyo state government supports yemoja Ibadan festival to enhance cultural tourism

Dr. Olatunbosun revealed that the festival will take place from Thursday, October 10, 2024, culminating in a grand finale on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at the Popoyemoja area in Ibadan.

The festival, spanning 17 days, aims to showcase, promote, develop, and preserve the traditional heritage of the Yoruba people.

“The essence of the festival is to honour the Yemoja deity, symbolising motherhood and fertility, and to pay tribute for her protection and support over generations,” said Olatunbosun.

He noted that the event will unite various communities to express gratitude and reverence for Yemoja, who embodies the attributes of strength, generosity, and motherhood.

The festival will include a variety of activities such as offerings to Yemoja and other deities, performances, visits to motherless babies’ homes in Yemoja’s honour, and a tour to the AfriChatta Film Village, among other engaging events.

In his welcome address, Aare Isese of Oyo State, Aare Omikunmi Egbelade, expressed gratitude to Governor Makinde for his unwavering support for traditional adherents and cultural promotion.

Egbelade highlighted the governor’s initiative to declare August 20 a work-free day in honour of Isese adherents, fostering unity among diverse religious and cultural communities.

He also urged the state government to support the Yemoja Festival in its pursuit of UNESCO recognition as a World Heritage Festival.

The press briefing was attended by key stakeholders, including the Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser to the Governor, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju; General Manager of the Council for Arts and Culture, Chief Mrs. Adeyinka Adedeji; and other members of the organising committee.

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Culture

OLOJO….Ile Ife’s September Gift To Culture

Published

2 weeks ago

October 5, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Halima Adaba,

It was a featubal if the people. It was for the anciebt town of Ile Ife, which the Yoruba race refards as the Source.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

And ut was a festivsl for the King, Arole Oduduwa, Oonirisa, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

And so between September 24 and 28th 2026, the annual featuval dazzjed in all its white glory.

Tge Monarch paid the traditional ancestral homage and offered propitiation as part of the sacred rites of the Olojo Festival.
It was a powerful expression of Yoruba heritage, spirituality, and enduring tradition.

Call it a collection of beautiful moments, faces, colours and cultural expressions.

Every frame tells a story.

Every face carries the energy.

Every moment keeps the heritage alive.

Undoubtedly one of the most sacred cultural celebrations in Ilé-Ifẹ̀. It marked a day associated with creation, thanksgiving, ancestral heritage, and the sacred appearance of the Ooni of Ife wearing the revered Aàrẹ crown.

There were also the devotees of the famed god of thunder – Sàngó who were hardly conspicuous at the festival.

Many other traditional groups came out with candor, showing a powerful expression of Yoruba cultural identity, spiritual devotion, and respect for the ancient traditions of Ilé-Ifẹ̀.

Devotees of Sàngó bekieved the ‘appearance’ of the god of thunder on Seotember 26th could be understood as a symbolic meeting of ancestral heritage, spiritual devotion, and the celebration of creation.

It was a moment when the sounds of drums, chants, and traditional praise poetry brought the history of the Yoruba people to life.

Although Olojo is closely associated with Ogun, the god of iron, and the sacred traditions of Ile-Ife, the presence of Sàngó devotees reflected the rich diversity of Yoruba spiritual heritage.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

As a participant enthused at the festival, “To witness Sàngó Olúkòso emerge on Olojo Festival day is to witness a living expression of history, identity, and ancestral pride.”