Category: Tradition – Ceremonies
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Aso Ebi (also called Ashebi), which literally means ‘family cloth’ originated with the Yoruba people of south-western Nigeria, as can be deduced from the name. It refers to a piece or set of clothing that is chosen and worn by members of a family at a social function, especially if they are the celebrants. Its…
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Osun Groove is the worship centre of the Yoruba Impersonation of the “Waters of Life,” and the spiritual mother of the Osogbo township. To her, Osun belong the Groves, but one or the other otherwise sovereign god may take lodging on her ground. The goal of the world famous annual procession is the pond, river-altar…
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Ojubo Osogbo, a component of the Osun Groove, is ancient, older than the town of Osogbo (which is not older than 400 years, according to Chief Olugunna’s research). The statue of Osun where the river bends at Ojubo Osogbo is from the hand of Saka. It is a reverent replacement for the one which fell…
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Adetoyese Laoye; Timi of Ede. Before he ascended the throne in the 1940s, he was a church organist, a great dancer, a good singer, a lover of culture, and a historian. He was so culturally minded that he turned Ede to one of the nation’s cultural shrines to which people from far and near made…
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Ekimogun Day: Carnival in Ondo town, incorporating dances, marches and impressive cultural extravaganza. First, the drums roared at sunrise. And the crowd at the civic centre erupted in ecstasy. The tingling sound of gong and tumbrels reverberated in the air, throwing spectacles and spectators into a collective reverie. Then usually a stampede follows as members…
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Eyo is a visitor from the world of the spirit. It speaks in funny nasal sound which usually is the ventriloqual language of the dead. Attired in white flowing robes with an artfully decorated head gear, called the Aga and a face mask made of transparent lace or the traditional Aso Oke material, the Eyo…
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Ado Bayero; 13th Fulani paramount traditional ruler of the Kano emirate for 51 years. Over the years of his reign, Bayero became an institution of sorts whose counseling and advocacy are treated with attention. It is said no governor of Kano State succeeds without his support and who was to be an exception, the first…