The 2026 Olojo Festival has continued in Ile-Ife, Osun State, since Saturday, September 26, with the official cultural ceremony and the annual pilgrimage to sacred sites.
The festival, which means The Day of the First Dawn, is regarded as one of the oldest and most respected festivals in Yorubaland. It marks the day the Almighty created the earth and celebrates the Black race worldwide.
The core public events began with the Official Olojo Festival Cultural Ceremony, the Okemogun Pilgrimage and the Traditional Oonirisa’s Annual Cultural Procession known as the Aare Cultural Procession on Saturday.
The colourful celebration climaxed with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, adorning the sacred Are Crown, believed to be the original crown of Oduduwa, followed by his traditional procession from the palace to Oke Mogun.
The procession is the peak of the festival. Only the Ooni can wear the Are Crown, and he wears it once a year during Olojo after completing a seven-day spiritual seclusion.
Earlier, the Ooni had entered a seven-day seclusion on Sunday, September 20 at Ile Mole, accompanied by Olori Ashley, traditional chiefs and aides. During the seclusion, he abstained from public appearances and offered prayers for peace, unity, economic stability and national development.
“My message for Nigeria as a nation is that Nigeria is bigger than all of us. We should always strive very hard not to utter anything that will affect our sovereignty,” the Ooni said before entering seclusion. “I am appealing to our politicians. They might have differences, but we should know ultimately that Nigeria is bigger than all of us.”
The festival programme, announced by the Chief Festival Administrator, Otunba Ayo Olumoko, runs from September 24 to September 28. Thursday, September 24 featured the Ayo Olopon traditional game competition, Olojo Festival colloquium and Cultural Talent Hunt.
Friday, September 25 witnessed Iwode Ife, also called Ojo Ilagun, which is the community cleansing, the Oonirisa’s Terrestrial Message to Mankind and the Ile-Ife Fashion Exhibition.
Saturday was for the official ceremony and Okemogun Pilgrimage, while Sunday, September 27 featured the Grand Royal Invitational Reception, Ojo Ajoyo, Adire Oodua Cultural Exchange Exhibition and the Oonirisa’s Ife Award for Community Service.
The grand finale is scheduled for Monday, September 28, with the Oonirisa’s Ancestral Home Traditional Procession, Ojo Ibile, and the Cultural Talent Hunt Night at the ancient palace of the Ooni, Ile Oodua, Enuwa.
Speaking at the grand finale on Saturday, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State called for greater investment in Ile-Ife’s cultural heritage to promote tourism, employment, enterprise and economic development.
Represented by his deputy, Mr Kola Adewusi, Adeleke described Olojo as an important platform for preserving Yoruba history, culture and traditions.
“Our culture is one of our greatest assets. We must preserve it and present it to the world. Our heritage can become a powerful driver for tourism, employment and enterprise,” Adeleke said. He congratulated the Ooni and the people of Ile-Ife on the successful celebration and commended the Ooni for giving Ile-Ife greater visibility on the global cultural map.
Meanwhile, a video from the festival showing a young man performing rain-controlling rituals has gone viral. The man was seen holding a staff and chanting under cloudy skies, with reports indicating his role was to prevent rain from falling until the Ooni had safely returned to his palace.
Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, also congratulated the Ooni and the people of Ile-Ife, describing Olojo as a celebration of identity, unity and the enduring heritage of Ile-Ife.
The Ooni thanked sponsors including Nigerian Breweries Plc, Nigerian Distilleries Limited, makers of Seaman’s Schnapps, MTN, Moniepoint and Ojaja Drinks, who joined as a maiden sponsor.
