Royal family seeks support for festival

Gbenga Bada

Members of the Abisogun Ruling House in Lagos have called for support of tradition and culture amid preparation towards the hosting of the 2020 Elegba Festival.

The festival is the custom of Iddo people in Lagos State.

Speaking about the festival, Prince Teslim Oluwatosin Abiodun Giwa Esq. of Omishade Branch of Abisogun Ruling House urged family members and indigenes to prepare ahead of the hosting of the coming 2020 Ejiwa Play.

He described it as the pride of the Iddo people.

Said he: “From time immemorial and in accordance with the native law and custom of the old Iddo people (Oniru and other Idejo chiefs inclusive), as the original custodian of this traditional and customary event (Elegba Festival); for the avoidance of doubt and at the risk of giving Abisogun a bad name, especially where person or persons that ought to know better in view of their age and closeness to the family heritage chose to allow sentiments to persuade their sense of reasoning.

“It is important to state, for record purpose that the Elegba Festival emerged vis-à-vis the deity brought to Iddo by the acknowledged founder called Olofin. It is a well-known fact that the Idejo landowners inherited their father’s (Olofin’s) land, water and deities, one of which is the Elegba play.

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“In the entire gamut of African traditional religion such as the Conclave (Agbo Elegba), being a self-regulating shrine, like other conclaves, i.e Osugbo, Opa, Odiyan among others, it is important to note that the Elegba Conclave is being managed and coordinated by some designated chiefs as custodians, namely Elegushi (Head of the Conclave), Oluwo, Alase, Onirowo, Ayediran, Ojomo etc. While any Oniru designate remains IgbaIgba (ceremonial head) of Iru Elegba Conclave, his pivotal role cannot be overemphasized. Notwithstanding, the festival shall be held even when there is no incumbent.

“Going forward, where it is obvious that some persons are ignorant of historical facts, the only way out is to revert the mind of such persons that oppose this year’s Ejiwa Play, since their argument was predicated on the fact that there was no incumbent. Rather, they should reflect on a similar event that happened at Iddo after the compulsory acquisition by the colonial government from 1899, 1902, 1906 and 1922.”