The Annual Oore Otiti Festival of the ancient Okaka town in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State was celebrated with remarkable display of pagentry and grandeur by the Olokaka of Okaka land, His Majesty, Oba Abdul azeez Olatunji Ayoola Ogelende IV.
The monarch, who led his chiefs and other Okaka indigenes to the shrine of Oore to perform traditional rites, showcased the age-long honour and mutual respect between him and his subjects.
In line with the tradition, the monarch led a procession of chiefs,devotees and elated indigenes from from his palace to the shrine of Oore Otiti.
In the process,the Olokaka paid homage to ‘ile abore’ the domain of the chief priest,as his first place of contact and he was warmly received with prayers and praises by the elders of the family.
While speaking, after performing the traditional rites which involved the offerings of kolanut, snail,water and a slaughtered ram to appease the ancestors,Oba Ayoola explained the significance of Oore otiti festival in Okaka land and described it as a unifier irrespective of people’s religion or belief.
The monarch emphasized that there are sacred animals being used as sacrifice such as snail, gazette and other animals that have signs and symbols of Oracle called ifa with significant meaning and interpretation.
Oba Olokaka stressed that custom and tradition should not be ignored and people should not undermine the power attached to custom and tradition.
He therefore admonished the people not to forget that the basis of every other religion is the tradition, hence the need to promote and preserve the custom and tradition for the benefit of in coming generations.
He also urged the family saddled with the responsibility of traditional rituals to protect the custom of their ancestors.
Oba Ayoola, while narrating his experience as a student in Modakeke, reiterated that every son and daughter of Modakeke are well trained and equipped for the preservation of their custom.
The Olokaka emphasized the role of Oore otiti in Okakaland as an agent of peace.
He added that the true sons and daughters of Okaka are aware of the consequences of ignoring the Oore otiti as a deity.
Report By Kaseem Jenrade