Egungun Festival Not License To Settle Old Scores, Terrorise Citizens, Olubadan Warns Masquerades, Followers
By Olumuyiwa Olumuyiwa
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, has urged all the residents of the ancient city to ensure orderliness and peace during the annual Egungun (masquerade) festival, stressing that event is not a license to cause any form of violence or settle scores in the Oyo State Capital.
The monarch also added that the occasion should not be used as an avenue to engage in supremacy contests, or carry out retaliatory attacks between masquerades and their opponents.
Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State, made this declaration in a statement signed by his media aide, Chief Adeola Oloko and made available to journalists on Sunday.
The Egungun festival is an annual ritual and this year edition will commence on Monday(today).
During the festival, masquerades from different compounds in Ibadanland are expected to be seen in strategic locations across the ancient city from tomorrow.
Ladoja, in the statement, cautioned the masquerades and their handlers to shun all forms of violence during and after the festival.
The traditional ruler explained that the festival aims to foster peace and harmony in the ancient city.
“Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja has tasked masquerades and their followers to eschew violence during and after the festival, as violent conduct of any kind is punishable under the law.
“It is a time to reflect on our history as a people, where we are coming from and where we are right now. It is worth celebrating with drumbeats, dance and merriment.”
He continued, “The festival is dedicated to celebrating “our lores, custom and tradition.It is a moment to showcase the evolution of our society, the social cohesion, family unity and solidarity through offering of sacrifice”.
The ex-Oyo governor assured the residents that all necessary arrangements to ensure a hitch- free egungun festival this year have been put in place by the palace.
Oba Ladoja urged the people to co-operate with law enforcement agents in ensuring a peaceful atmosphere for celebration, adding that masquerades and followers should not go beyond the point and time marked for them by the law-enforcement agents.
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