By BASHIR ADEFAKA & ADERONKE ADEYERI

The Imota kingdom in Ikorodu, Lagos State, was amidst drumming and dancing recently as the ancient town celebrated the Osi Oba and Barifon festival which is celebrated once in three years. The custodian of the community’s culture, Oba Ajibade Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota Kingdom who was in high spirit all through the celebration, spoke to Vanguard about the festival and its relevance to the people of Imota. Excerpts:

About the festival?

The Osi Oba and Barifon festival is the merging of two great festivals. The Osi Oba festival is a celebration in memory of the past 15 kings of Imota land. This festival has been in existence for a long time that I cannot remember when it started. It is the duty of the sitting king to celebrate the other kings that have passed on. And as such, I am saddled with the responsibility to perform the rite. Barifon festival, on the other hand, is the celebration of womanhood. It is a celebration of our mothers, who are the backbone of the society. The woman folk cannot be overlooked in any society. Osi Oba and Barifon festival is celebrated as a merged event once in three years.

Here we talk about two festivals and merger. Why the merger?

The Osi Oba and Barifon festivals were at a time celebrated separately. While Osi Oba was celebrated between November and December, Barufon was celebrated January and February. But the mode of celebration is the same and that was why we brought the two festivals together. The celebration takes the same number of days, 17 days and the months for each celebration are close.

What are the activities that are involved in the festival?

•Oba Ajibade Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota Kingdom

The Osi Oba and Barifon celebration starts with the beating of a traditional drums called Gbedu on the eve of the festival day. The beating of this traditional drum announces the commencement of the festival and for the next 17 days, any form of drumming within Imota is forbidden. We call this Aluwo. And this same drum will be beaten after seventeen days to inform my people about the lifting of the ban. Then we wine, dine and do merry-merry round the town centre for three days, for the success of that period. During the festival, I go to the grove where the past kings were buried to appease them and seek their guidance in my reign. Other traditional rites will also take place in the grove.

Has there been any case of anyone going contrary to this rite over the years?

We have never heard of such occurrence in this ancient town and if such happens. This is one of the reasons we merge Osi Oba and Barifon festivals together so we do not inconvenience our people. The community is more developed with a larger population than what my forefathers controlled. And as such the interest of the people is our priority. We cannot afford to deny the populace these social activities twice a year.

What is the relevance of the festival to the throne and the people of Imota?

The essence of the festival is to bring prosperity to the throne and the people at large. We believe that if the reigning king pays homage to kings who reigned before him, the dead kings who are now our ancestors will help him in developing the town. That is our belief and on the other hand, we believe the festival will open the wombs of the women, who are barren, and will also protect our chaildren.

Considering the life you lived as a professional and now that you are a king, how has the role of a king affected your lifestyle?

There is a marked difference. As a chartered accountant, I was used to the urban area enjoying myself with very long beard and bushy hairstyle. They removed everything overnight and taught me how to wear agbada. I now appear in agbada all the time for the past 23 years. So, it is like comparing two extremes. It is just like taking away one’s liberty and sort of sacrifice for your community. I can no longer go to the clubs; I can no longer go out and enjoy myself like I used to do before my enthronement, unless on special occasion that would be announced. It is not a question of going to visit my friends any more.

I have been transformed to somebody that the community worships being that they see me as the custodian of customs and traditions of the Kingdom. I can’t be seen on the road any how. So, if you imagine me going to the club to meet business associates and partners or having a field day during weekends with humorous friends, you will know what I am talking about.