The Isagun Festival in Ora-Igbomina: A Vibrant Celebration of Heritage and Tradition

In the heart of Ifedayo Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria, lies the historic town of Ora-Igbomina, a place where tradition and culture converge. Known as the "Cradle of Education and Christianity" in Igbomina Land, Ora-Igbomina's rich history and cultural heritage are woven into the fabric of its annual Isagun Festival.

The Ancient Roots of the Isagun Festival

The Isagun Festival is a replica of the Odun Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife, a celebration that dates back to the dawn of time. According to legend, the Asa'Ooni, the paramount ruler of Ora-Igbomina, is a direct descendant of the Ọọni of Ife Royal Dynasty. The festival is a testament to the town's rich cultural heritage and its connection to the ancient city of Ile-Ife.

The Festival Celebrations: A Symphony of Tradition and Culture

The Isagun Festival celebrations begin with the Asa'Ooni performing traditional rites and rituals, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of the traditional drums and the melodic chants of the town's historians. The air is filled with the sweet aroma of incense and the sound of chanting and drumming, as the Asa'Ooni visits the Oke Ewu, the ancient family house of the Elewu Chief.

The festival continues with the sacrifice of a dog to the town's Central Ogun deity, a ritual that symbolizes the community's gratitude for protection and prosperity. The Olu Ode (Chief Hunter) and teeming hunters and Ogun devotees lead the procession, their traditional attire and regalia a testament to the town's rich cultural heritage.

The Installation of New Chiefs: A Celebration of Loyalty and Homage

The highlight of the festival is the installation of new chiefs, a ceremony that showcases the town's rich tradition of loyalty and homage. The Asa'Ooni's throne is surrounded by his chiefs, who pay homage and loyalty to their monarch. The ceremony is a colourful display of traditional pageantry, with the chiefs dressed in their finest attire and regalia.

Isagun Procession

The Isagun Festival is the replica of Odun Olojo Festival in Ile - Ife. It is the main Oba's festival per se. Kabiyesi Asa'Ooni starts the new year by performing necessary traditional rites and rituals, covering a period of seven days that includes his seven day seclusion and on the morning of the seventh day, he will pay his official visit to Oke Ewu(Okerewe in Ile-Ife), the ancient family house of the Elewu Chief who followed his forefathers from Ile-Ife to the present location in Ora-Igbomina.

On returning to the palace accompanied by a retinue of his people, proper celebration commence with the eating of pounded yam and bush meats and dried fish!

Later in the day, he will go to Oja Oba (central market square), where, a dog will be used to worship and appease the town's Central Ogun deity at the Oba's market square call Ogun Àjobo(replica of Ogun Olojo in Ile-Ife). The sacrifice will be led by the Olu Ode(Chief Hunter) and teeming hunters and Ogun devotees.

In the evening after this, Kabiyesi will lead his people and guest back to the market square for the Isagun Festival ceremony. Then, the leader of the Oba's official drummers will be led by the head of the Ayantola traditional drummers family and traditional poets will take over the ceremony. The drummers will start drumming and a standby Ewi chanter will commence the lineage praise or praise poetry of all past kings from the first Asa'Ooni to the present reigning King - all in sequential order. At every mention of each and every past king, individual members of each Ruling House will be going towards the chanter and the leading drummer to give them money and dance in memory of their late forefathers! At the end of this chanting of this poetry, all Chiefs will be called to pay homage and loyalty to Kabiyesi one by one, from the Oloye Alabebe(High Chiefs), Looguns(War Chiefs), Esos(Youth Chiefs) and Oloye Oja( Commerce Chiefs) and other honorary title holders, down to the lowest chief in rank.

Thereafter, Kabiyesi will stand up and dance seven times round the ancient Odan tree housing the town's Ogun Àjobo in Ora-Igbomina. This is followed by 21 gun salute to honour him. Then, Kabiyesi will start his own royal dance back to his palace. At the entrance, people will prostrate for him and sing the official song:
"Wole! Wole!! Wole!!!
Ile baba omo ki b'omo l'eru!
Wole! Wole!! Wole!!!

Another traditional song during Kabiyesi's procession march to the palace, goes thus:
Fere ogun fere,
Fe ogun fe.
Oyere o,
Hee!Hee!!
Oyere ooo,
Hee! Hee!!

Asodunmodun ooo
Oyere ooo,
Hee! Hee!!
Ani Baba l'Ewu ooo!
Hee! Heee!!!

On getting to the palace, Kabiyesi will mount his throne and it is now time for the queens (the Oloris), which all wives of the royal quarters are automatic members of by marriage! At this juncture, all the wives will kneel down in front of the palace where Kabiyesi is seated on the throne, surrounded by his Chiefs. The Oloris will start chanting the praise of the royal lineages and most especially, that of the reigning Asa'Ooni. It is necessary to inform you that on this special occasion, all Oloris must bear a unique braiding style know as "Suku Ayaba" in Yoruba land. It must be noted that, only the wives of the royal house are entitled to and allowed by tradition in Yoruba land to wear this special braiding all over Yoruba land. If a woman is not married to a prince in Yoruba land and she should bear this "Suku Ayaba", it is a taboo and she will be penalized and disgraced for desecrating the royal throne in Yoruba land. During this collective chorus poetry session when a leading and possibly one of the oldest Olori is chanting the praise poetry, thus:
"Abayee Eledumare Orimolade!"
Abayeee oooooooooo...."

At that moment, everywhere remain silent, while the only moment is for anyone who is willing to give out money to the Oloris in appreciation of their dexterity and celebration of a new year. The occasion is brought to an end with Kabiyesi hosting his chiefs, the whole town, important guests and other visitors alike. Pounded yam with vegetable, egusi, efo riro ila delicious soups of fish, bush meats and goat meats are served. Palm wine is the official drink of the day, without forgetting modern breweries, like premium seaman schnapps, beers and all other brands of drinks.

ASEYISAMODUN, IGBA ODUN,
ODUN KANSOSO NIII OOO...

=============================

IWURE ODUN

Kabiyesi Oba Asa'Ooni ti ngunwa.
Awa so wipe: Oba lawa.
E ku Odun Isagun.
Oba a lawa pe o.
Gbogbo Omo Ilu Ora,
Esin oba a j'oko pe o.
Igba Odun, Odun kan ni o.
A ku Odun Isagun!
Aseyisamodun o!

L'ola Olorun Oba Oke,
Ilu Ora a ma r'oju, a ma r'aye.
Alaafia a j'oba ni Ilu Ora.
Isokan to denu ati ife alailegan
A wo igboro Ora.
Iyalenu nla nla ni ti ire
ni yo ma wo Ilu Ora.

Oba ki s'òfò.
Oba ki ké bòsí!
Olokun ki tufo.
Aki sunkun l'afin.
Òrò bi ekun!
Òrò bi ofo!!
Òrò bi booosi oooo!
E ma gba mi ooooo!!!
Koni je tiwa l'odun l'oro!
E ku Odun ooo.

Adesi lo ni ba k'enikan,
Ta ko ki enìkan,
Kinni baba nla baba
Enìkan le fi ni se gan?
Ake kaka l'oju oloro.
O ni t'oloro ba wa gbo,
Kin lo fe se gan?

Kábíèsí, Okese Oloja!
Kukunduku s'ewe gerugeru.
Òpò ogùn gunmo galegale.
Bo l'ópò ogùn bi Aroni,
Bo ba ti mu eke kan mo,
Kòní je mo!

Orimogunje Oba!
L'asiko ti yin, Kabiesi,
Alaafia a ma fe lele n'ilu Ora.
Aboyun ile a ma bi were,
Agan a ma t'owo ala b'osun,
Fi p'omo l'ara
Ilu a r'oju o.
Alale ati esije Ilu Ora
A wa ba yin s'elu o.
E ku Odun Isagun 2021

Aseyisamodun o ooo...
Abaye Eledumare Orimolade!!!

ORIKI KÁBÍYÈSÍS ASA'OONI ORA-IGBOMINA.

Oba Asa'Ooni Adesi,
Ohun gbogbo po l'Ewu,
Owo kunle, owo tun ya s'oko.
Omo mo da wo ger wo'do l'Ade,
Mo ba yo gbonran-ran-ran
Mo f'enu gbe igba epo.
Beesi ni iya mi ko s'epo ri
ki nri un mu j'esu.

Omo Adesi elewa woyiwoyi,
T'oba wo dudu,
A tun wo tuntun.
Adesi elewa monamona,

Adesi a b'obinrin sun
k'ewa ranmo.
Adesi elewa bajo.
Adesi elewa buje
Omo aji r'erin oso,
Aji dara bi egbin.

Omo Adesi nwe l'odo,
Gbogbo omoge nna
igba ose si,
Adesi t'emi ni k'ogba
t'emi ni ko mu.
Omo t'oba d'ale mo nbo wa,
L'omo Ode fi ni igba oko.

Obinrin Adesi ba ti ba sun
ti o ba l'oyun,
Omo l'otan ninu oluwa re.
Iyawo Adesi to ba ti
ni iya nje oun,
E mo pe ile won lo ti
gbe iya re wa,
E so fun pe ko ma
gbe lo sile won!

Adesi irin ese la m'oga,
Oju lati mo oge,
Etitise lati m'obun.
Adesi afinju Oloja
a rin gbendeke,

Omo kukunduku s'ewe geregeru.
Opo oogun gun'mo galegale.
Bo l'opo oogun, bo ba ti m'eke mo,
Koni je mo!
Omo inu rere je j'oogun lo.

Otiti a rin k'ilè min.
Iná g'ori ile f'ejú toto.
Adesi, okuta meta
Agba Okerewe mefa
Ori e ni won njoko le
Dajo Omo Olufe Ooni.

A ki ma nduro ki won
ni Ife Ooni,
A ki ma ndobale ki won
Ni Ife Ooyelagbo,
Eni ba duro ki won ni Ife,
Gunnugun ebora ni
won fi oluwa r'ebo!
Omo atete d'aye,
Gb’agba l’owo ara yoku.
Ojumo re mo mi ni Ife Ooni,
Emu ni kaluku won fi nmu.

The Cultural Significance of the Isagun Festival

The Isagun Festival is a celebration of the Yoruba people's rich cultural heritage and tradition. The festival demonstrates the significance of cultural identity and the importance of preserving traditional practices. The festival also highlights the role of the Asa'Ooni as a symbol of unity and cultural heritage.

Composed and Compiled by:
Chief Olusegun Adewale Àlàbí Fadipe, Ojomu of Iju Kingdom, Lagos State. (A descendant of High Chief Ejemu of Ora-Igbomina).