All roads lead to the ancient city of Ile-Ife today as the Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II,
flags off the ceremony of this year’s edition of Alaraagbo Festival.
This is contained in a statement by
Otunba Moses Olafare, the
Director, Media and Public Affairs,
Ooni’s Palace.
According to the programmes of event released on Friday by Yeye Alaraagbo Oodua who doubles as Global Coordinator of Alaraagbo World Festival; Yeye Abiye Osunbunmi Ifasemilore, the three- day event began today (Saturday), June 24, with the arrival of members of the World Alaraagbo ElereOmo Spiritual Network, home and abroad, and other participants who are mostly practitioners of the African traditional religion worldwide.
On Sunday, attendees will witness several cultural activities including cultural musical concert, the Iyalode and Ajaguna Chanting Concert as well as cultural sports and games such as Ayo Olopon in which several prizes shall be won.
On Monday, which shall mark the climax of the event, participants are expected to converge at the Courtyard of the Ile-Oodua Palace of the Ooni at Enuwa, Ile-Ife, by 9am from where the ritual of procession to the sacred groove of Alaraagbo known as EGBE ELEREOMO GROOVE will be led by the Ooni.
There, the necessary traditional rites for Alaraagbo festival will be performed in accordance with the customs.
This will be followed by the grand finale ceremony at the Ooni’s palace slated for 2pm of the same day to be attended by the participants and the invited guests.
Activities already lined up for the grand finale include an empowerment programme for over 500 widows and other indigent women, award’s of recognition to some important personalities, dancing/music competitions and the festival’s symbolic spiritual leader, Ooni Ogunwusi Adeyeye.
