- From Taiwo Abiodun
The ancient town of Owo, in Ondo State has celebrated this year’s Kolanut Festival.
Expectedly, kolanut was given its pride of place at the event.
The Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ajibade Ogunoye III, said the festival is part of the people and it ushers in new kolanuts into Owo Kingdom before it is taken to the market for sale. He added: “Sharing of kolanut symbolises unity, love, peace, kindness and gratitude.”
According to the monarch, kolanut has its season and the fresh ones should not be displayed in the market until after its celebration. The festival precedes Igogo festival. At the festival, fresh kolanuts are prepared in their hundreds in a traditional calabash and through procession and taken to Uli Ode where the past Obas ‘slept’ (hallowed chamber).
This was led by Chiefs like the Aworos, Osowe and others accompanied by aides and sacrificial dance by the female traditional orchestral, the Ukoju Olowo.
‘’I, the Olowo of Owo, danced to the seven different traditional/historical performances, and the music is rooted in traditional songs. I danced to Umoba Olowo traditional Orchestra meant for the Olowo.
“After a song, there were prayers for me, my family, well-wishers and friends. I picked the kolanuts.Then was ushered into Uli Odi and sat on a special chair where I then prayed for the departed souls of all the Olowos in the inner chamber.
“I went to various shrines in Ugha Nla (big courtyard) and prayed. Later, men and women, chiefs, youth leader, trumpeters, and market women, knelt down and paid obeisance to me, the Oba.’’
Olunaun of Unaun, Prince Olanrewaju Abegunde dismissed the insinuation that the celebration is fetish, noting ‘to those saying the celebration is fetish did not know what culture entails. Kola nut symbolizes peace, unity, hospitality, acceptance, togetherness, trust and equity. Kolanut is given to those who know its value. Without Kolanuts in a gathering nothing is complete.’ Abegunde added ‘during naming ceremonies, wedding ceremonies or social gatherings or Town Hall meetings, kolanut is a must. We use it to pray and it cuts across religion. So those saying it is fetish are funny. We should praise the Olowo of Owo Oba Ogunoye III for upholding the tradition and taking it to a higher sphere. By this time next year it will be a carnival as the present Olowo wants to make it bigger.’
Mrs. Idowu Omolayo (Abiodun) a retired Yoruba Language teacher said: ‘’The issue of kolanut is very important in Yoruba culture, if you observe very well there is no tribe in Nigeria that does not know the social/cultural value of Kolanut’’. Omolayo praised the Olowo of Owo for showcasing the importance of Kolanuts to the world adding that Olowo has made us proud by doing this. ‘In Yoruba culture the issue of Kolanut breaking has become a global thing and the world is embracing it.’