The annual cultural celebration in Nigeria known as the Olokun Festival is observed by a number of Yoruba ethnic groups as well as the Edo people throughout Yorubaland.
Okun denotes the sea in the Yoruba language, while Osa means the lagoon (enclosed sea). While Olosa, also known as Osara, is the goddess of the lagoon and estuary, Olokun is the goddess or deity of the sea. Both are honored and revered throughout various holidays.
The main Olokun shrine, according to Yoruba tradition, is situated in Ile Ife’s Ilode neighborhood. Olokun is the goddess who, at creation, gathered all the water on the planet together and brought it to its current place, the sea, as stated by the Walode of Ile-Ife Chief Kolawole Omotayo, who serves as the Abore (Chief Priest) of Olokun of the Source. The world was formless and full of water when life first began.
RELATED STORIES
Olodumare entered the planet through the chief Orisha, Obatala, to begin the process of bringing life to it. Obatala then descended from heaven via a chain while carrying an igba iwa. “The great goddess Olokun started gathering all the water together right from Ilode, where we are standing right now. Then she transported everything via Ilare to an extremely remote region of the earth, which is now the sea of today.
The Olokun deity is regarded by the Ilaje people who inhabit the Ondo etate coastline as the sea goddess with the ability to conceive children for infertile women. She is also said to have control over ocean waves and be able to destroy evildoers’ ships at sea.
Olokun is a goddess of wealth who can bestow wealth on her followers. The worshipers of Olokun are typically covered with white chalk “efun” and wear spotless white clothing. The Ilajes hold the Olokun Celebration in high regard as a notable festival because they feel it has a calming effect on their life. The Edos celebrate theirs in Usonigbe, the location of Olokun’s shrine, in Edo State in late February (1st “moon” after the 12th moon). Lagos State hosts a different, more contemporary event in November.
The Olokun Festival Foundation organizes the latter festival, which has been going on since 2002 and has grown to be a significant tourist and community draw. Otunba Gani Adams, who also chairs the Oodua People’s Congress, is its leader.
The Olokun Festival Foundation organizes the latter festival, which has been going on since 2002 and has grown to be a significant tourist and community draw. Otunba Gani Adams, who also chairs the Oodua People’s Congress, is its leader.
