By Editor
Wild jubilation and excitement filled the air in the ancient town of Ise Ekiti last weekend as the community celebrated Ogbese festival amidst loud fun and shindig.
The cultural festival which holds significant relevance to the development of Ekiti Tourism was performed at the bank of Ogbese river on the outskirts of the town.
According to reports, the festival dated back to many centuries ago where the people celebrated the legendary River Ogbese believed to have magical powers of fostering peace, unity and therapeutic potency.
The arrowhead of the annual festival, High Chief Omotunde Paul, who doubles as the Elemo (Oraye) of Ise kingdom is the custodian of Ogbese festival.
The Europe based High Chief clad in all white apparel holding a white pigeon, led a long convoy of Elemo family members to the bank of Ogbese river where traditional prayers were offered for the peace and progress of the town amidst sporadic gunshots and dancing by ecstatic crowd.
The procession later left the river and headed straight to the Palace of the Oba (Dr) Adetunji Ayodele David Ajayi. Aweloye 11 the Arinjale of Ise kingdom where traditional prayers were offered by the monarch.
The next stage of the celebration shifted to the Elemo family compound where Chief Omotunde Paul threw a lavish party to celebrate the success of the annual festival as there was more than enough to eat and drink amidst light entertainment and dancing to traditional drums by women.
In a brief chat with our correspondent, threw more light on the annual festival saying that the annual Ogbese festival would in the nearest future transform to a big tourism attraction for Ekiti State.
According to him, “The festival is the celebration of water and water is life. We are celebrating the festival in order to reconnect with our creator and accentors.
“The festival is annually hosted by the Elemo Family, headed by High Chief Omotunde-Paul Elemo (Oraye) of ise kingdom heralded by massive celebration that offers lots of foods, drinks, dance and music in honor and remembrance of Ogbese (Aba eye, aja murugbon wole)’s contribution to our land and the festival is celebrated twice every year comes during dry season (20th April) and rainy season August.
“Ogbese festival tells a message pertaining to our customs, traditional values, mythology, and culture. During this festival, we invoke the spirit of our ancestors (Ogbese).
“During the dry season celebration, in the morning, Chief Elemo will offer prayers to all past Elemo’s spirits before moving to Erekesan (Infront of Kabiesi’s palace) where His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr) Adetunji Ajayi (Ph.D. MON, JP) Aweloye ll, the Arinjale of Ise Kingdom will send Elemo family an errand to Omitere (Ogbese) to offer a prayer for the king for peace and development of our land and also offer prayer for people of Ise – Kingdom , Ekiti state, Nigeria and the world at large for peace, progress and favor of God “ELEDUMARE”.
Reacting to a question of fetish practices associated with the festival, Chief Omotunde Paul said: “Honestly, there is nothing wrong with celebrating our culture and festival; we are the one attaching evil to them while it is pure and divine” he said.
Explaining further, the Elemo said: “After offering the prayers and breaking the kola nut at the Ogbese stream in line with our culture and tradition. Ogbese will also send evidence that all prayers offered at the stream have been answered by sending “Erin” (CLAM) to Kabiesi, and it must rain within 24 hours for more confirmation. The clam can only be seen once a year during this festival and is only Elemo Oraye clan children who can receive it from the stream during the festival.
“Finally, reception follows at ‘Akodi Elemo’ at No 11 Ulemo maberu street Oraye Quarters, Ise Ekiti”
