Olojo Festival: Ooni Retreats for Seclusion, Seeks Ancestral Blessings for Nigeria
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has commenced his annual seven-day seclusion as part of the 2025 Olojo Festival, offering prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, and prosperity.
The Olojo Festival, celebrated in Ile-Ife, Osun State, is one of the oldest and most significant cultural events in Yoruba history.
It is dedicated to Ogun, the god of iron, and symbolizes the creation of the world, the strength of the Yoruba people, and the bond between the living and their ancestors.
During the seclusion, the Ooni—widely regarded as the spiritual head of the Yoruba race—withdraws from all public activities, entering deep meditation and prayers for his people and the Nation.
Palace officials said the monarch’s focus this year is Nigeria’s socio-political stability, economic recovery, and peaceful coexistence across ethnic and religious divides.
A highlight of the festival is the public appearance of the Ooni in the sacred “Aare Crown,” believed to be the oldest crown in Yoruba history and worn only once a year.
The crown, steeped in mystery and spiritual significance, is said to connect the Ooni directly with the deities and ancestors of the Yoruba.
The Olojo Festival draws thousands of visitors annually, including cultural enthusiasts, traditional worshippers, and tourists from across the globe.
Beyond its spiritual significance, the event is also a platform for showcasing Yoruba music, dance, cuisine, and traditional arts, further boosting cultural tourism in Nigeria.
Historians trace the festival’s origins back to Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race, underscoring its role in preserving Yoruba identity and unity.
For many, it is not only a cultural celebration but also a time of renewal, when prayers are offered for peace, bountiful harvests, and communal prosperity.
With the Ooni now in seclusion, anticipation builds for the festival’s climax, when he will emerge wearing the Aare Crown to bless his people and renew the spiritual covenant of the Yoruba kingdom.