Eyo festival


The Eyo Festival, otherwise known as the Adamu Orisha Play, is a Yoruba festival unique to Lagos, Nigeria and has a strong historical footing in Iperu-Remo, a town in Ikenne Local Government, Ogun State. In modern times, it is presented by the people of Lagos as a tourist event. Due to the history of its development, it is traditionally performed on Lagos Island. 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. Chief Kabiru Adeshina Oshodi, a high chief who is a member of the Eyo Laba is the Heads of all Eyo masquerades in Lagos making him the Olori Eleyo of Lagos.

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. 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 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".
The first procession in Lagos was on 20 February 1854, to commemorate the life of the Oba Akitoye. Eyos celebrate a Oba's 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.
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 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, the ‘senior’ eyo group, the Adimu, 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, Oniko, Ologede and Agere — 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, c ommemorating Justice G.B.A. Coker, a Lagos high chief, the Olori Adimu and the Olori Eyo of the Adimu Eyo cultural masquerade.

2009

2011

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

2017

2025
• December 27, commemorating four outstanding figures who helped shape Lagos and Nigeria, including Mama Abibatu Mogaji, whose life reflected the strength and leadership of Lagos women as well as Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, and Chief Michael Otedola.

Prohibited items

Here is a list of prohibited items at the festival:
  • Okada motorcycle taxis
  • bicycles
  • sandalsSuku - 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.