A Community leader in Oye-Ekiti, High Chief Dominic Arise on Tuesday said the popular Oro Ode festival being celebrated annually does not engage in human or animal sacrifice.
Arise made the declaration during a lecture titled “Origin of Oro Ode festival” which form part of the activities to install the new Obalodo of Oye kingdom in Oye-Ekiti.
The community leader explained that Oro Ode festival was being celebrated every February during the harmattan and communities such as Ire, Ayegbaju, Irare Ilupeju -Ekiti always joined the celebration.
He noted that Obalodo, who was the chief priest of the festival usually received delegates from the various communities to pay homage to him.
“Oro Ode festival is a festival of peace, development and celebration and not a festival that involves human and animal sacrifice or any forms of crime.
“It is being celebrated for the development and prosperity of Oye kingdom and as we now have new Obalodo after 26 years that the position has been vacant, 2025 festival will be bigger.
“I want to urge all the sons and daughters of Oye kingdom to participate actively in the festival for the development of our community,” he said.
According to him, the leaders in these communities will visit with good tidings and there will be food such as pounded yam for everyone to eat while men and women will be singing various cultural songs.
He added that the festival involves prayers of prosperity and development for Oye kingdom.
Chief Arise said one of the major importance of the festival was that it ushers in rain at the beginning of the planting season and gives farmers bountiful harvest.
Similarly, the Vice President of Oye Progressive Union, Mr Sunday Aluko, said Oro Ode festival has been very beneficial to the development of the community.
Aluko said the festival can be described as homecoming for Indigenes of Oye kingdom.
He noted that the festival always attracts lots of funfare and does not have criminal activities.
“On the day of the festival, both the Muslim and Christians always celebrate the festival together and it brings our people together as one big family.
“Without Obalodo’s presence, the festival cannot hold because he is the Chief priest that coordinates the activities.
“Many Indigenes from neighbouring communities always visit us to celebrate with us during the festival,” he said.
Aluko urged Indigenes of Oye kingdom not to be brainwashed by novice that Oro Ode festival was fetish.
The community leader advised chiefs and leaders to enlighten their children and extended families on the importance of the festival towards the development of Oye kingdom.
Notable sons and daughters of the community were present at the event as students of Federal University , Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) displayed cultural dance to entertain them.
The new Obalodo was currently in Ipebi house where he was currently observing the mandated seven days traditional rites in line with the culture and traditions of Oye kingdom.
Activities for the installation of a former Chairman of Oye Local Government of Ekiti State, Mr Bamitale Oguntoyinbo as Obalodo of Oye Kingdom will be rounded off on Sunday with Thanksgiving service at Saint Michael Anglican church, Oye Ekiti by 10am
The reception and entertainment of guests which was earlier billed for Saturday has now been moved to Sunday at the White House ground, Oye Ekiti immediately after the church service 12pm.(NAN)