Khim Pearl
Schedule
Thu Oct 24 2024 at 12:00 am to Thu Oct 31 2024 at 12:00 am
UTC+01:00Location
Igbogbo Baiyeku | Lagos, LA
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2024: HERE COMES THE AGEMO/ELUKU FESTIVAL IN IGBOGBO.One of the major festivals in Yorubaland is the Agemo/Eluku Festival, commonly celebrated among the Ijebus, though with slight variations in processes and preparations.
Agemo/Eluku festival is a week event which attracts not only the natives but visitors from all walks of life, as it is marked with great fan-fare and festivity.
The festival begins today, Wednesday, in Igbogbo Kingdom, with a visit to the river by devotees carrying a stick of fire wood each; this they throw into the river and then dived into it, in search of a symbolic leave known as "Woro" which is believed to be the connection between a deity and the people.
In the evening of the same day, the Worshippers will gather at the 'Ita-Efulase', Club 24 in Igbogbo, for the much revered Agemo dance with a variety of cultural display from various cultural groups in the presence of the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali and his Chiefs.
The Agemo masquerades will then come out, one after the other to display their skills and perform magical tricks while the drummers beat their drums and songs are sung to entertain people seated.
Sometimes, the Agemo will spread its mat to the amazement of people and later fold it. Then the Oba and his Chiefs step out and show their dancing steps.
Another masquerade known as Onire will come from its shrine. Onire will come to the gathering and people will start praying and those with woro (symbolic leaf) will throw it at Onire. Onire will walk straight to were Oba Kasali and his Chiefs are seated, speaking in low tones to each other and he will later return to his shrine.
The Kabiyesi will leave the gathering immediately in order not to witness the dance of the last and rough masquerade, as this masquerade is known to disorganize gatherings in the first day of the event.
In the mid-night, Eluku will come out and no one is allowed to see it, except those in the occultic group or someone that is fatherly related to Igbogbo community. The Eluku Deity would be the one to park the leaves thrown at onire in the evening.
In the process of parking the leaves, it will be praying for the people, the Oba and the whole Igbogbo community. The festival continues within the next seven days in Igbogbo Kingdom.
As a true Son of the Soil, I am privileged and happy to be part of this processes, particularly the Eluku Deity, which is from my source, Lantan Onanusi Family Igbogbo. Aseyi S'amodun O!
Shakiru SEIDU
Chairmanship Aspirant,
Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA 2025
#IreOtun2025
#GodIsInvolved
#highlights
Photo credit:shakiru seidu/FB
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Where is it happening?
Igbogbo Baiyeku, Awolowo Way,Ikorodu, Lagos, NigeriaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
