Olójó Festival 2024

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 The Olojo Festival is an ancient festival celebrated annually in Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. It is one of the popular festivals in the Yoruba land, and was once described by Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi as a festival that celebrates the Black race all over the world. The Yoruba word 'Olojo' means 'The Day Of The First Dawn' that describes the grateful heart of man towards God's creation and the existence of Human. The Olojo Festival is a culture festival in the calendar of the Ile-Ife, Osun State which is located in the Southwestern part of Nigeria. It is the celebration of the remembrance of “Ogun”, god of Iron, who is believed to be the first son of Oduduwa, progenitor of the Yoruba people. The festival is held annually. It is one of the biggest festival on the culture calendar of lle-Ife.


On this day, the Ooni (king of Ife) appears after seven days of seclusion and denial, communing with the ancestors and praying for his people. This is to make him pure and ensure the efficacy of his prayers. Before the Ooni emerges, women from his maternal and paternal families sweep the Palace, symbolically ridding the Palace of evil.



The Ooni later appears in public with the Are crown (King’s Crown), which is believed to be the original crown used by Oduduwa to lead a procession of traditional Chiefs and Priests to perform at the Shrine of Ogun. The next stage of the ceremony is to lead the crowd to Okemogun’s shrine. Here he performs duties including the renewal of oath, divination for the Ooni at the foot of Oketage hill by Araba (Chief Priest), as well as visiting places of historical importance.


At the shrine, the traditional Chiefs with the swords of office marked with chalk and cam wood, appear in ceremonial attire and dance to rhythms from Bembe, a traditional drum. The style of grum and singing for each Chief is different. Only the Ooni can dance to the drum called Osirigi.



Olojo has remained popular in Ile-Ife because of its myth and history. It connotes the day in the year specially blessed by Olodumare (the creator of the Universe). Olojo can also be literally translated as the "Owner for the day". Prayers are offered for peace and tranquility in Yoruba. All age groups participate. Its significance is the unification of the Yorubas.


Tradition holds that Ile-Ife is the cradle of the Yorubas, the city of survivors, spiritual seat of the Yorubas, and land of the ancients.


The 2024 edition promises another exhibition and promotion of Yoruba cultural, artistic, gastronomic and tourism values. Speaking with the festival marketer consultant INFOGEM MD/CEO Otunba Ayo Olumoko. 

"His Imperial Majesty OONI OF IFE is calling all lovers of Tourism, Art & Culture all over the world to come & be part of OLOJO FESTIVAL 2024 as we celebrate the day the Almighty created the Earth!

 Which will run through 24rd Sept till 30th Sept. 2024 at Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Kindly be part of History!

Odun OLOJO..Odun Ayo, Odun Alaafia.


For further details & enquiries contact:

_THE OFFICIAL FESTIVAL MARKETING CONSULTANT_


*Infogem Limited*

Tel: *+234 703 5080 888*

Email: ayodele.olumoko@gmail.com

One Race *l* One Source *l* One Festival





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