Annually, the Yoruba people of Southwest Nigeria observe the Ogun Festival also known as Odun Ogun which is done in honour of Ogun, an ancient warrior with special powers who died centuries ago and afterward is believed to have transitioned into a powerful spirit of metalwork and revered amongst men.
In an exclusive research conducted by ENigeria Newspaper, it was discovered, historically, Ogun is believed to be the first deity to arrive on earth, while the veracity of that claim cannot be ascertained at this time, Yoruba mythology also claims that Ogun was a king and the father of Oramiyan. Being the first deity to arrive on earth as told by historians, he therefore used a cutlass and a dog to clear the road for the arrival of other deities.
He is also said to have given the finishing touches to the first set of humans created by Obatala, the Yoruba god of creation.
The Ogun festival is usually held around August or September in Ondo State and parts of Ekiti State.
In some parts of Ekiti State, the Ogun Festival heralds a series of events that occurs within seven days where people of the community pay homage to powerful deities linked to their ancestors and this signals the beginning of a new harvest season.
ENigeria Newspaper reports that in Ijero Ekiti, this month of August 2024, the people set out on a seven-day celebration which kicked off with the Arugbas (meaning the calabash carriers) being fortified and afterward escorted to the palace of Ajero, the king Oba Joseph Adedayo Adewole OFR, the AROJOJOYE II of Ijero Kingdom where they along with notable hunters and members of the community will be welcomed specially.
Worshipers strongly believe that appeasing Ogun would mean a bountiful harvest for them in the next farming season. See documentary below…
