Eyo festival

Eyo Bajulaiye Ineso masquerade in a residential area of Lagos near the Tafawa Balewa Square.

The Eyo Festival, otherwise known as the Adamu Orisha Play,[1] is a Yoruba festival unique to Lagos, Nigeria.[2] In modern times, it is presented by the people of Lagos as a tourist event and[3] due to its history, is traditionally performed on Lagos Island.[4] A notable festival date was in 2000 commemorating Justice G.B.A. Coker, a Lagos high chief, the Olori Adimu and the Olori Eyo of the Adimu Eyo cultural masquerade.

Eyo

The word "Eyo" also refers to the costumed dancers, known as the masquerades that come out during the festival. The origins of this observance are found in the inner workings of the secret societies of Lagos.[5] Back in the day, the Eyo festival was held to escort the soul of a departed Lagos King or Chief and to usher in a new king. On Eyo Day, the main highway in the heart of the city (from the end of Carter Bridge to Tinubu Square) is closed to traffic, allowing for procession from Idumota to the Iga Idunganran palace. The white-clad Eyo masquerades represent the spirits of the dead, and are referred to in Yoruba as "agogoro Eyo" (literally: "tall Eyo").[6]

An Eyo Iga Olowe Salaye masquerade jumping.

The first procession in Lagos was on 20 February 1854, to commemorate the life of the Oba Akintoye.[7] Eyos (the masquerades) celebrate a Oba´s (king) life. Eyo Festival is a homage to his death. The ritual is also organized to commemorate the election of a new leader. Traditionally, it only occurs at these times. Nowadays, and because it is such a traditional festival, it can be celebrated for the death of a notable person, or to celebrate a special occasion such as visits by heads of state.

Here, the participants all pay homage to the reigning Oba of Lagos. The festival takes place whenever occasion and tradition demand, though it is usually held as part of the final burial rites of a highly regarded chief in the king's court.[8]

Among the Yorubas, the indigenous religions have largely lost the greater majority of their traditional followers to Christianity and Islam. Be that as it may, the old festivals are still almost universally observed as tourist attractions which generate large amounts of revenue for government and small business [2][1]around the Lagos Island venue of the Eyo festival. It is during these occasions that their traditional monarchs and nobles exercise the most of their residual power.

Order of events

In his book Nigerian Festivals, travel writer and culture reporter Pelu Awofeso notes: A full week before the festival[9] (always a Sunday), the ‘senior’ eyo group, the Adimu (identified by a black, broad-rimmed hat), goes public with a staff. When this happens, it means the event will take place on the following Saturday. Each of the four other Eyo groups — Laba (Red), Oniko (yellow), Ologede (Green) and Agere (Purple) — take their turns in that order from Monday to Thursday.

History

Historically, Iperu is the source, cradle and originator of Eyo in Nigeria and the world. There are 5 different branches/types of Iga Eyo in Iperu Akesan

Names of the families and Iga of Eyo each represents are:

  1. Iga Pakerike which is symbolized by red cap of éyo
  2. Iga Agbonmagbe, also symbolized by blue cap of éyo.
  3. Iga éyo Odoru
  4. Iga éyo Mogusen/Amororoo
  5. Iga éyo Fibigbuwa

The major source of éyo in Iperu is the Iga éyo Pakeriké and other 4 are the Iperu Royal houses.

History made us to understand that Eyó was brought to Lagos to entertain an in-law which has now become something more celebrated in Lagos today.

Akesan aagbé wa! Remo asuwon ooo!

Festival dates

2000

  • 2000, Commemorating Justice G.B.A. Coker, a Lagos high chief, the Olori Adimu and the Olori Eyo of the Adimu Eyo cultural masquerade.[10]

2011

  • November 26,[11] commemorating Prince Yesufu Abiodun Oniru, a Lagos nobleman.

2017

  • May 20,[12] commemorating the 50th anniversary of Lagos state tagged Lagos@50 and also to commemorate the life and times of the late Oba of Ikate Kingdom Oba Yekini Adeniyi Elegushi Kunsela 11.[13]

Prohibited items

Here is a list of prohibited items at the festival:[14][15]

  • Okada motorcycle taxis
  • bicycles
  • sandals
  • Suku - a cornrowed hairstyle popular among the Yorubas, one that has the hair converge at the middle, then shoot upward, before tipping downward.
  • smoking
  • female with head tie or headgear or any covering of the head
  • male with cap of any kind
  • wearing of the Eyo costume overnight or to cross a river or lagoon.

The masquerades are known to beat people who use any of the prohibited items at sight with their staffs.

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Eyo festival: History and features". Vanguard News. 2 June 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Nigerian Festivals". OnlineNigeria.com. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  3. ^ "The Lagos Carnival". Lagos Carnival Website. Lagos State Government. Archived from the original on 6 December 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  4. ^ Victoria, Akinola (30 January 2022). "Eyo festival of the Isale Eko indigenes". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  5. ^ F. W. Butt-Thompson (2005). West African secret societies : their organisations, officials and teaching. Whitefish: Kessinger Publ. ISBN 978-0-7661-5736-1 – via Google Books.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "EYO: Its purpose and role in the history of Lagos". Eyo Festival Lagos website. Archived from the original on 27 November 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  7. ^ Williams, Lizzie (2008). Nigeria (New ed.). Chalfont St. Peter: Bradt Travel Guides. pp. 148. ISBN 978-1-84162-239-2. oba akintoye 1854.
  8. ^ "Eyo festival: History and features". Vanguard News. 2 June 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  9. ^ "The Eyo Festival | Travel Writing and Nigeria Information from Travel Intelligence". Archived from the original on 4 December 2008. Retrieved 13 February 2009.
  10. ^ "Facebook post". 2000.
  11. ^ "Eyo Festival 2011: Orisha Adamu Eyo Masquerades on Lagos Island". Nigeria Entertainment News. 23 November 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  12. ^ "Fela musical Concert, Eyo Festival, others to feature in Lagos @ 50 Celebrations". The News. 27 March 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  13. ^ "Eyo festival: Parade of colours, gaiety". Vanguard News. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  14. ^ "7 things you shouldn't do at the Eyo festival". Pulse.ng. iyebiye olawuyi. 20 May 2017.
  15. ^ "Eyo Festival: 10 Things You Should Know". Hotels.ng Guides. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
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