Ayeka kingdom celebrates Iwo
…. Regent of Ayeka appreciates subjects over a peaceful traditional outing.
– Steve Ovirih.
Iwo , the annual festival of cleansing and return of the deities to Ayeka has been celebrated. The two day celebration started on the eve of Thursday, the 14th July, 2022 as a traditional vigil held at the Lumure hall Ayeka, within the palace of the Lumure .
The arrival of The Regent of Ayeka, Her Royal Highness , Oluyemi Bajowa to the hall marked the beginning of the festivity as traditional prayers were offered by the high chiefs and the Chief priests. Libations were also poured in honour of the ancestral spirits and the founder of Ayekaland.
After the rite of libation has been concluded, the chanting of ancient Lumure lyrics , the charged traditional panegyrics of Ayeka Ule rented the air , electrifying the calm night as the baritone unison in the hall sprung alive like a cascading rush of heavy fall.
As a rite that the sons and daughters of Lumure, across the quarters making up the kingdom observe during the eve of Iwo, 201 chant songs that allude to the chivalry and heroic deeds of the brave hegemons of Ayeka are sung during the night session.
And as this was observed members of each quarter whose family’s praise songs are chanted dance excitedly and with appreciation to the loving memory of their forefathers.
The priests, the Chiefs and youths of Ayeka were already in town quite early on the next day as the major celebartion would start with the traditional walk round the town with the ‘ Oro’ paraphernalia in suit. The traditional belief is that the deities join in the culturally rich Ayeka traditional Iwo procession therefore all non indigenes are required to stay at home with their doors shut as well as women and the young ones, while the men on prowl are not expected to wear shoes.
Later in the evening by 5. 30 PM , the traditional procession returned to the Palace of The Lumure of Aiyeka and were treated to a rousing welcome by the Regent of Ayeka , HRH Oluyemi Bajowa and the Ayeka council of chiefs.
The procession include all the major Ayeka kingdom stakeholders among them the Lisa of Ayeka, Oloja Ugbeayeka, HIs Highness , Michael Babatunde Ayeyowa, the Petu of Ayeka, Prince Adeolu Adegboyega, High Chief Olibamoyo, Oge of Ayeka, High Chief Kolawole Adeule , the Kanye of Ayeka, High Chief Oyewole , the Bolodeoku of Ayeka and others.
Iwo festival in Ayeka kingdom is noted for its purification and cleansing essence as it is believed that as the Iwo procession went round the town earlier today the deities equally visited and ensure all negative omen across the length and breadth of the town are swept away.
Oluode Agbasaga Yoruba , Aladeekun1 , Alhaji Tajudeen who played guest to the kingdom during the festival described Iwo festival as a home grown tradition , noting that it was really a colourful demonstration of the ways of Ayeka forefathers. ” This festival is our festival and we must continue to celebrate it if we don’t want to disconnect ourselves from the ways of our forefathers, ” Aladeekun1 stressed .
The Regent of Ayeka , Her Royal Highness , Oluyemi Bajowa expressed her delight over the success of the festival. ” I am happy and delighted that Iwo festival 2022 held , it was successfully held and it held under an absolutely peaceful atmosphere. The Chiefs, the women, the youth and every indigine of Ayeka have used the medium of Iwo festival to offer prayers of peace for the community, Ondo state and Nigeria at large.
” This festival is a laid down tradition of our forefathers and we have maintained the celebration over the years.
” I congratulate all the indigenes of Ayeka Ule both at home and in The Disapora and my wish and desire for this kingdom, which historically is ‘ the Source ‘ is that God Almighty will continue to uplift all the sons and daughters of the kingdom in their respective endeavours, ” the Regent prayed.
