It was an opportunity for guests and others present to take a walk back in time and witness how the people of Lagos celebrated their fore-bearers in times past. As the people of Ikate, a community in Lagos Central celebrated the elegy festival last weekend, culture, tradition and ancient knowledge were on parade for all to see.
Ikate, a community situated on the Lekki-Ajah axis of the state in general, and the reigning Elegushi royal family, in particular, holds the Elegba Festival in high esteem. Expectedly, the community spares nothing to make the annual event a memorable one.
The week-long festival is often marked by the sons and daughters of the community from far and near. It is dedicated to Elegba or Esu Elegba which is regarded among the Yoruba as the deity that makes things happen, whether good or bad.
The festival train kicked off at the Elegba shrine, a mini-stadium called Agbo Elegba where elaborate sacrifices were performed to appease the deities. Painted in glittering white colour, residents say the Agbo Elegba has been with the people of Ikate from time immemorial.
The long train of guests, priests and other participants which left the Elegushi Royal Palace for the Agbo Elegba to officially declare open this year’s festival was led by the Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi.
While Oba Elegushi and the Odofin of Ikateland, Chief Kehinde Hassan Elegushi, who is the coordinator of the festival, wore the ceremonial white clothes as required by tradition, all other sons and daughters of the community present at the event left the upper parts of their bodies bare during the festival. The men came out with loin clothes around their waists, while the women tied theirs up to the chest.
The oba was accompanied by visiting traditional rulers from far and near as well as many white cap chiefs from within and outside Ikate on the trek from his palace to the Agbo Elegba.
Hardly had the oba and his guests being seated when the traditional breaking of kolanuts started. According to Ikate chiefs who spoke to The Nation, Ikunlepabi, as the rites were referred to, are very crucial aspects of the ceremony. The people believe the outcome of the breaking of kolanuts determines whether the deities are pleased with the people or not.
Chief among the items offered to the deities was kolanut. Lobes of kolanuts were broken and presented to the deities in sacrifice before being brought to the king by a group of young men carrying a huge and flat calabash dish. These young men acted as intermediates between a diviner, performed all the rites in the inner chambers of the shrine, and the king and his people who sat outside waiting patiently to hear from the deities.
Before the close of proceedings, the young men made about a dozen shuttle between the oba seated at the open arena and the diviner concealed in his chamber. Soon, the big gong was beaten to declare the rites completed and successful. At the sound of the ancient gong, the oba and his people burst into songs as they danced in jubilation.
The rites over, the elated king and his council rose and retired to another inner chamber on the premises to wait for the masquerades that came much later to celebrate with the people.
Speaking to The Nation afterwards, the Elegushi appealed to the state government to help the community in promoting the festival. According to him, selling the festival globally should be part of the government’s contribution to publicise the rich culture of the state.
He explained further that Elegba festival is a revered festival in the old days. He added that its essence is to offer prayers for the area, the state and the nation.
The Chairman of the Eti Osa Local Government Area, Chief Olanrewaju Elegushi, who doubles as the Aro of Ikateland, said the significance of the festival which brought all the descendants of Olofin together, is to show love and unity for the progress of the community.
He added that aside Olofin descendants, other people also joined in the celebration, warning that politics should be separated from tradition so as not to discourage people from promoting their culture and tradition.
“Many people don’t want to come out to embrace their culture. There is a big difference between tradition and religion. I am a Muslim, but when it comes to tradition, I display my culture. They are really different things entirely,” he said.
Explaining the place of Elegba festival in the life of indigenous Lagos communities, Odofin Hassan said all the major traditional communities in Lagos and environs celebrate with each other all year round. “The Elegba festival is celebrated to usher in a new year and to ensure peace in the community,” he added.
