By Halima Adaba
It was a festival of the people. It was for the ancient town of Ilé-Ifẹ̀, which the Yoruba race regards as the source.
And it was a festival for the king—Arole Oduduwa, Oonirisa, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
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Between September 24 and 28, 2026, the annual Olojo Festival dazzled in all its white splendour.
The monarch performed the traditional ancestral rites, offering homage and propitiation as part of the sacred observances of the festival.
It was a powerful expression of Yoruba heritage, spirituality, and enduring tradition.
Call it a collection of beautiful moments—faces, colours, and cultural expressions.
Every frame told a story. Every face carried energy. Every moment kept the heritage alive.
Undoubtedly one of the most sacred cultural celebrations in Ilé-Ifẹ̀, Olojo marks a period associated with creation, thanksgiving, and ancestral reverence.
Central to the festival is the symbolic appearance of the Ooni of Ife wearing the revered Aàrẹ crown.
There were also devotees of Sàngó, the famed god of thunder, whose presence added another layer of spiritual depth to the celebration.
Various traditional groups participated with candour, showcasing a rich display of Yoruba cultural identity, spiritual devotion, and respect for ancient traditions.
For devotees of Sàngó, the symbolic “appearance” of the god of thunder on September 26 represents a convergence of ancestral heritage, spiritual devotion, and the celebration of creation.
It was a moment when the sounds of drums, chants, and traditional praise poetry brought the history of the Yoruba people vividly to life.
Although Olojo is closely associated with Ogun, the god of iron, and the sacred traditions of Ilé-Ifẹ̀, the presence of Sàngó devotees reflected the diversity and depth of Yoruba spiritual heritage.
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As one participant enthused: “To witness Sàngó Olúkòso emerge on Olojo Festival day is to witness a living expression of history, identity, and ancestral pride.”
