By Richard Akintade, Osogbo
As this year Osun-Ikoyi festival kicks off in the ancient Ikoyi community, Isokan South Local Council Development Area of Osun State, the Olukoyi of Ikoyi, Oba Yisau Oyetunji Bantale Otunla, Kodaolu 1, has said that cultural heritage should be promoted through various traditional festivals that abound in their respective localities.
The Olukoyi made this known on Sunday while fielding questions from journalists to herald the activities of this year “Osun-Ikoyi Festival” which is expected to comence on Wednesday.
Oba Otunla, who described the annual Osun-Ikoyi festival as a befitting cultural heritage in the history of Yoruba land, emphasised that it’s also a well recognised cultural festival not only in African but in the entire world.
The Olukoyi, who noted that the Osun-Ikoyi festival was a generational one which had been in practice for decades in Ikoyi land, is to remember the forefathers of the town.
The traditional ruler urged Yoruba people to embrace their cultural heritage irrespective of their religion beliefs.
He charged the traditional rulers, as a custodians of culture and traditions in Yoruba land, to do more in the promotion of culture of their people.
According to the Olukoyi, there is economic benefits attached to the celebration of festivals such as Osun-Ikoyi, saying that the celebration of the festival annually would definitely boost the economic activities in the ancient town and the state at large.
Oba Otunla added that, “celebration of festivals would also bring peace, promote harmonious relationship, popularise the community and bring it to limelight in the world of culture and tourism.
“Celebration of such festivals is not about religion, but celebration of culture and tradition, this is what we are doing in our own community by celebrating Osun-Ikoyi festival annually”.
The Olukoyi, however, used the medium to commend Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the state for promoting culture and tradition.
Highlight of the activities for this year Osun-Ikoyi festival, includes display of traditional fire-woods by women from every compounds in Ikoyi community on Wednesday October 6th. This will be followed by installation of chiefs and “Ifa Night” on Friday, while on Sunday the 10th of October, His Royal Majesty, the Olukoyi would lead the entire Olukoyi in Council, guests and entire residents to Osun Shrine at Asejire where necessary prayers and activities would be performed in collaboration with “Esin-Nla” and Chief Balogun of the town.
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