By Ayodele Johnson

Every year in Ile-Ife, Osun State in Nigeria, a special day in October is set aside to show appreciation to God, the Creator, for the initiative of enabling existence, be it human lives or other beings. This day is known as Olojo, meaning ‘The Day Of The First Dawn’, which sees the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, leading the Yoruba race in what eventually morphs into a week-long festival.

The final day for this year’s celebration has been set for October 2, and to make sure things go according to plan, the Ooni who is the chief celebrant must undergo specific solemn rituals. Part of this involves a seven-day seclusion, which begins today.

Although the Olojo has its origin tied to the Yoruba culture, the Ooni takes on the role of representing the world by dedicating his meditation and prayers in favour of every life, especially the entire population of Nigeria.

From when the Yoruba king finally emerges from his isolation to his personal drum that only he can dance to, let’s show you a timeline that connects all the ducts leading to the final day of the Olojo festival.

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Seven days of seclusion: This is when the Ooni goes away from view for a period of seven days. The purpose of this is to enter a secluded space where he can focus because this is needed to truly connect with God who created all things that exist. While in seclusion, the Ooni will pray for protection from evil, as well as prosperity for his people. While he is busy isolating himself, there are activities going on in his palace. It would see women from both sides of his family in the symbolic act of cleaning. The motive here is to clear evil elements away from the surroundings.

After isolation: Then the Ooni reveals himself to the public putting on the King’s Crown that originated from Oduduwa, a divine ruler who is believed to be the founder of the Ife Empire. Wearing the crown, the Ooni heads a procession of traditional Chiefs and Priests to the next ritual happening at the Shrine of Ogun. After this, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi will now shepherd the crowd to Okemogun’s shrine.

What goes on in Okemogun’s shrine: At this venue is where he continues with more rituals involving swearing age-long pledges, a divination by the Chief Priest at the start of a hill known as Oketage. From here, the king visits several places that matter for tradition. Of course, the Ooni is in the company of his Chiefs who rock their official attires while acknowledging the sound of the Bembe drum in a dance. A special drum for the Ooni is the Osirigi – only he can dance to this.

After this is the main event, the Olojo day itself.

The literal translation of Olojo, a day also dedicated to remembering the primordial Ogun deity, means the “Owner of the day” who is God that made things possible.

Prayers are said towards the actualisation of peaceful living in Yorubaland and then the Nigerian people who comprise multiple ethnicities. There is no restriction with regards to who can participate. This festival welcomes all.