Remi Adefulu
The rich culture of the Yoruba people will be on display, as Ifa devotees and culture enthusiasts roll out the drums to celebrate the 18th edition of Ifa Oosa Festival in Ikorodu, Lagos tomorrow.
According to the promoter of the event, Chief Ifadayo Ariyo, the event is majorly a traditional form of harvest among traditionalists. This, he said, is the reason they are bringing out the best of Yoruba songs, dance, and drums in celebration of the Ifa festival.
“We also seize the opportunity to offer prayers for our country especially at this time. For us, we know and appreciate the spiritual aspect of things in all our endeavours, our families and those who come to us for consultation,” he said.
Continuing, Ariyo, who is the Araba of Adamo, Ikorodu, Lagos, stressed that the place of Ifa devotees to national development cannot be overemphasised. He hinged this on the fact that they play many roles including divination, which he opined is crucial to human existence.
“That we are also intermediaries between humans and the gods cannot be overemphasised. This has seen us using spiritual and traditional methods in curing ailments which are challenging and life threatening,” he stated.
Ariyo, therefore, charged the government to accord them better recognition for societal development, while disclosing that tomorrow’s event will include display by masquerades even as a popular musician will spice up the event till the wee hours of Sunday.