Oyin-oluwa Abiona
It is an open truism to say that the annual Oke-Igeti homecoming project of the International Council for Ifa Religion is fast becoming the most popular cultural fiesta of high global participation within the Southwest Nigeria, today.
Thanks to the Ekiti State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy which saw beyond the annual event being a mere faith-based convocation but potential catalyst for socio-economic development of Ekiti State which, unargueably, remains the most culturally divers State in Nigeria.
It is an undeniable fact that Ekiti is significant to Yoruba traditional religion and spirituality. Ekiti used to be home to many Yoruba ancestral gods and deities. Most, if not all of these gods and deities transited into the spirit world but their various homes, which have become sacred groves, still remain in different communities within Ekiti State.
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These explain why thousands of people from both within and outside the continent of Africa visit Ekiti yearly for the World Ifa and Orisa Pilgrimage and Festival. They would again be converging in Ekiti State for the 8 days of spiritual rejuvenation and cleansing which the pilgrimage is said to be meant for. The programme holds between 18th and 25th of May, this year 202
This 2024 edition would be the 10th and Ekiti State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy is collaborating with the organizers, to coordinate the Pilgrimage aspects of the event, provide necessary information in effective response to enquires from international journalists and visiting teams of cultural researchers, as well as promote and protect the interest of government in line with the Ministry’s mandate.
The Honorable Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Prof Rasaki Ojo Bakare while responding to questions from Culture Matters news Editor, Susan Kwame, explained that it was important that the Ministry collaborates with the organizers to ensure that the sector optimizes the opportunities a project of such magnitude offers the State.
He said he had no personal affiliation with Ifa or Orisa, being a Christian, but that, if thousands of people would be coming to Ekiti State on their own to spend as long as 8 or 9 days for the purpose of pilgrimage to various groves and heritage sites in the State, his Ministry should not be far from being involved in effective and profitable management of such opportunity. He cited Guanajuato where millions of people visit daily to watch mummified dead bodies as an example of sites that was developed to attract global visitors in spite of its seemingly lack of reasonable appeal.
Prof Bakare, who recently got elected as the Chairman of National Forum of Commissioners for Arts, Culture, Creative Economy, Heritage and Tourism in Nigeria, while receiving the organizers in his office on Thursday, made it know that the Ministry has significant roles to play to ensure that the project is to the benefit of the organizers, the participants and government.
The theme of the 2024 Oke-igeti Heritage Pilgrimage fiesta is Our Culture, Our Life. It provides an opportunity for a deep reflection on the significance of culture in the life a people. Culture defines values and beliefs, it gives a sense of pride and identity. Culture is also described as people’s immune system because it plays a vital role in protecting and strengthening their collective well-being, just as the immune system protects the physical body of every human.
This is the topic up for discussion at the 10th anniversary commemorative symposium of the annual event.
The President of the ICIR, Dr. Solagbade Popoola, who led his team to meet with the senior management of the Ministry, revealed that invitation is open to all, irrespective of religion.
‘if you are interested in knowledge sharing and acquisition, you are free to be part of the open discussion: Prof Rasaki Ojo Bakare and His Royal Majesty Oba Sunday Fatoba, the Alara of Ara ikole-Ekiti, are expected as Guest Speakers” he declared.
The Venue of the Symposium is said to be the Royal Hall of the Ewi’s palace. Time is 11a.m on the 23rd May, 2024.
