By Lateef Dada
Osogbo
The annual Iwude Ijesa Festival is designed to ward off disease, sickness, and other problems from Ijesaland, the Chairman planning committee, Chief Olu Falomo, has stated.
Falomo, who is the Loofosan of Ifosan, Ilesa, said the festival had been turned modern from the old way it was being celebrated.
He stated this in Osogbo, Osun state capital, at a press conference heralding the 2017 Iwude Ijesa Festival.
According to Falomo, Iwude is the foremost festival that brings together all Ijesa people and affords the paramount ruler of Ijesaland, Oba (Dr) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran 11, to visit some palaces and rejoice with his people.
He said: “This festival reminds all Ijesa of the chivalry of our fore fathers in the internecine wars of Yorubaland. This is signified by the various gun shots and brandishing of war swords.
“It is this festival that Ijesa people in the modern era, determine to use as a rallying point to foster greater unity among Ijesa people all over the world, develop the entire land of Ijesa, celebrate our heroes and heroines and in the process, open a new chapter of cooperation and progress in Ijesaland.”
The committee stated that the event would begin on December 13 and end with a grand finale on December 23.
