The   Timi of Ede,  Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal (Laminisa 1),  and his chiefs have concluded arrangement to have a successful Ipedi festival this year.

The festival billed  for  next week in the ancient town of Ede, Osun state is held yearly to usher in the new yam in the Ede community.

Prior to the celebration of this festival, it is a taboo for any Ede son or daughter to sell or to eat the new yam.
In a statement made available to Vanguard,  the  Festival Director, Prince Adewale Laoye, said Ipedi festival is also to perform to appease their ancestors,  ‘Timi Agbale Olofa’na’, the founding father of Ede, and all the past Timi of Ede land.

Laoye added that they intend to  return the festival to its heydays  when it used to attract tourists from all over the world.

“During the reign of late Oba John Adetoyese Laoye, the festival was in its heyday even attracting international audiences. And this is the same image that  Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal (Laminisa 1) has envisioned for this year’s edition of the festival and year to come.

The Oba’s commitment is expected to attract the presence of government representative, council of Obas and corporate world.”

On activities lined up for this year’s edition, he said  there will be  the  lighting of  the sixteen eyes lamp by the Kabiyesi.
in company of  Jagun and other Chiefs; Sacrifice at Ogun Shrine by all the hunters in the town; sweeping of the town by the wives of all the ruling houses in Ede.

Before the Ipedi celebration proper, there will be a lecture on the importance and significance of  cultural festival to be delivered by  Prof. Oyeweso of  Osun State University.