Olojo Festival: Ooni Begins 5 Days Seclusion, Unveils “Ade Are Statue”

As part of the preparations for this year’s Olojo festival, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on Sunday moved into “Iledi”, a sacred seclusion where he is expected to spend the next 7 days.

Olojo festival is a major annual event in Ile Ife, annually commemorates to celebrate the creation of universe and the week long event.

The festival traditionally climaxes with wearing of Are Crown, a special crown worn once annually by Ooni and the symbolic walk from Ile Oodua, Ooni’s palace to Oke Mogun.

It was observed on Sunday evening that road leading to Ooni’s palace from Moore was closed to traffic as Oba Ogunwusi moved into Iledi, his first port of call when he started the rites for installation as Ooni last year November.

Giving insights into what the royal father will be doing during his seclusion, the Ooni’s spokesman, Moses Olafare, noted that Oba Ogunwusi is celebrating his first Olojo as Ooni and as such, he is leaving no stone unturned to make the festival a memorable one.

Olafare said Ooni will, during the seclusion, pray for the country and her leadership at all levels.

He disclosed that the grand finale for this year celebration would come up next Sunday.

“Ooni Ogunwusi will also spend time praying for Yoruba race and her people. He will also seek support of ancestors for peace and progress of Ile Ife and its people. His duties during the period basically is to pray”, Olafare added.

Meanwhile, before the monarch began his seclusion, he earlier unveiled the replica of “Are” crown mounted at Enuwa junction and called on Nigerians to seek peace and ensure they coexist in peace wherever they find themselves.

The foremost traditional ruler said replica of Are crown is erected at the spot to beautify and make Yoruba people have opportunity to appreciate it and pass it down to generations after.