The Ojude Oba Competition is an annual competition celebrated by the Yoruba folks of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
It’s a vibrant competition that showcases the wealthy tradition and heritage of the Ijebu folks.
The competition takes place on the second day of Eid-el-Kabir, the Islamic competition of sacrifice.
It was based in the course of the reign of the Awujale of Ijebu-Ode, Oba Adesimbo Tunwase (ABOKI). He dominated Ijebu from February 1886 to 1895.
He’s the forty seventh Awujale of Ijebu Ode. Throughout his reign, he gave land to the Muslims for his or her annual Eid prayers. After this, the Balogun Kuku and Ijebu Muslims instituted the Ojude Oba competition. This annual competition is a tribute to the king.
The literal translation of “Ojude Oba” into English is “The Palace of the King”. The competition is without doubt one of the greatest and most anticipated festivals held in Nigeria.
Through the competition, kids from influential households within the kingdom parade on horseback to pay their respects to His Royal Majesty and rejoice his legacy.
Moreover, probably the most vital facets of the competition is the parade of the totally different age teams (regberegbe) within the Ijebu neighborhood. A gaggle of younger males signify every age group by dressing in colourful costumes and performing conventional dances.
Over time, the Ojude Oba Competition has grown into a significant cultural occasion that pulls folks from throughout Nigeria and past. The competition is a time for the Ijebu folks to come back collectively and rejoice their king and their tradition. They arrive out in cultural apparel wanting dandy and radiant.
Horses additionally play an vital position within the competition. They beautify their our bodies with colourful materials and beads. Members of influential households experience them throughout their parades.
A mock battle is one other efficiency that’s carried out throughout this occasion. The Baloguns or heads of households carry out a type of re-enactment of battle scenes. The horses do varied stunts, equivalent to trotting rhythmically or standing on their hind legs. Often the Danish weapons are fired to make thundering sounds, which provides to the thrilling ambiance.
Showing in your best regalia is taken very critically throughout this competition. Other than dressing for the event, it is usually meant to indicate the financial commonplace of households who put on essentially the most beautiful clothes accessible. As well as, totally different households be certain that to put on the identical colors, patterns and types to face out throughout this grand competition.
READ ALSO: Ojude Oba Competition Kicks Off In Ogun State, The place Abiodun Is Attending
This yr's Ojude Oba competition was nothing in need of a spectacle. Photographs and movies of the occasion circulated the web and shortly went viral.
The notable ones price mentioning embrace the woman with the viral “D&G” glasses, adorned with gold and conventional equipment. One other honourable point out is that of Mr. Farooq Oreagba, the Managing Director/Chief Govt Officer of NG Clearing Restricted. Mr. Farooq seemed like a don in a yellow-green Agbada with conventional Yoruba beads, a smartwatch and a cigar in hand.
Try some photographs taken in the course of the Ojude Oba Competition 2024
