The ancient town of Odo-Noforija in Epe, Lagos State, pulsed with tradition and celebration this week as it hosted the vibrant and spiritually significant Eebi Festival, a week-long cultural event rooted in centuries-old Yoruba customs.
EpeInsights learnt that the Eebi Festival which is celebrated annually is more than a communal gathering; it is a sacred moment to reconnect with ancestral heritage, perform age-old rites, and invoke divine blessings for peace, prosperity, and unity across the land.
This year’s festival drew a constellation of monarchs and dignitaries from across the Epe Division and beyond, reaffirming its status as one of the region’s most revered traditional events.
Throughout the seven days, the kingdom witnessed a sequence of elaborate rituals, including the spirited dances of Jigbo, the sacred cleansing by the Okoro masquerade, and the dramatic emergence of the powerful Igodo and Kilajolu masquerades, marking the climax of the festival.
According to His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja JP, the Aladeshonyin of Odo-Noforija, each performance is layered with spiritual meaning and communal wisdom.
“The Eebi Festival is structured around rituals that have been handed down from our ancestors,” the monarch explained. “These are not mere performances—they are our connection to the divine and a call for continued blessings for our people.”
Among the most anticipated moments is the appearance of the Kilajolu masquerade, known for its strict adherence to tradition. During its outing, residents are advised to stay indoors, as Kilajolu, in keeping with custom, disciplines anyone in its path—regardless of title or status.
“Even as king, I am not exempt. Kilajolu will beat anyone it sees,” Oba Ogunlaja said. “But we always pray that the rites go smoothly and no one gets harmed.”
The festival also served as a unifying platform for royal fathers from neighboring communities and beyond. Among the dignitaries in attendance were Oba Aderibigbe Asunmo (Alayandelu of Odo-Ayandelu), Oba Nureni Sikiru (Oniladaba of Ladaba), Oba Musiliu Aladepekun (Odo-Egiri), Oba Adebowale Omola (Odomola), and Oba Samuel Adeboye from Osun State.
For Oba Asunmo, the presence of monarchs signifies not just royal camaraderie, but shared responsibility in preserving cultural values.
“Eebi is not optional—it is essential,” he said. “We owe it to our ancestors and our youth to sustain this legacy. It binds us spiritually and culturally.”
A Living Tradition in a Modern World
As conversations about cultural erosion and modernization continue to echo across Nigeria, the Eebi Festival stands as a reminder that tradition can coexist with progress. In Odo-Noforija, rituals are not relics—they are living, breathing expressions of identity and resilience.
As the final chants and drumbeats faded into the evening skies, the message was clear: the heartbeat of heritage still echoes through the streets of Epe.
