Eyo festival

The tradition & historical record

The Eyo Festival, otherwise known as the Adamu Orisha Play, is a Yoruba festival unique to Lagos, Nigeria and has a strong historical footing in Iperu-Remo, a town in Ikenne Local Government, Ogun State. In modern times, it is presented by the people of Lagos as a tourist event. Due to the history of its development, it is traditionally performed on Lagos Island. A notable festival date was in 2000 commemorating Justice G.B.A. Coker, a Lagos high chief, the Olori Adimu and the Olori Eyo of the Adimu Eyo cultural masquerade. Chief Kabiru Adeshina Oshodi, a high chief who is a member of the Eyo Laba is the Heads of all Eyo masquerades in Lagos making him the Olori Eleyo of Lagos. ¹

The word "Eyo" also refers to the costumed dancers, known as the masquerades, that come out during the festival. The origins of this observance are found in the inner workings of the secret societies of Lagos. Back in the day, the Eyo festival was held to escort the soul of a departed Lagos King or Chief and to usher in a new king. On Eyo Day, the main highway in the heart of the city (from the end of Carter Bridge to Tinubu Square) is closed to traffic, allowing for procession from Idumota to the Iga Idunganran palace. The white-clad Eyo masquerades represent the spirits of the dead, and are referred to in Yoruba as "agogoro Eyo" (literally: "tall Eyo"). ¹

The first procession in Lagos was on 20 February 1854, to commemorate the life of the Oba Akitoye. Eyos (the masquerades) celebrate a Oba's (king) life. Eyo Festival is a homage to his death. The ritual is also organized to commemorate the election of a new leader. Traditionally, it only occurs at these times. Nowadays, and because it is such a traditional festival, it can be celebrated for the death of a notable person, or to celebrate a special occasion such as visits by heads of state. Here, the participants all pay homage to the reigning Oba of Lagos. The festival takes place whenever occasion and tradition demand, though it is usually held as part of the final burial rites of a highly regarded chief in the king's court. Among the Yorubas, the indigenous religions have largely lost the greater majority of their traditional followers to Christianity and Islam. Be that as it may, the old festivals are still almost universally observed as tourist attractions which generate large amounts of revenue for government and small business around the Lagos Island venue of the Eyo festival. ¹

In his book Nigerian Festivals, travel writer and culture reporter Pelu Awofeso notes: A full week before the festival (always a Sunday), the ‘senior’ eyo group, the Adimu (identified by a black, broad-rimmed hat), goes public with a staff. When this happens, it means the event will take place on the following Saturday. Each of the four other Eyo groups — Laba (Red), Oniko (yellow), Ologede (Green) and Agere (Purple) — take their turns in that order from Monday to Thursday. ¹

Historically originating in the 18th century as a secret society ritual, its primary purpose is to escort the soul of a departed king (Oba) or chief to the afterlife and to usher in a new leader. Eyo festival is a major Yoruba cultural event unique to Lagos, Nigeria. It has always been celebrated in Lagos Island. There are five Eyo orisa and others are of palace chiefs. Names of the families and Iga of Eyo each represents are: ¹

Eyo Adimu which is the main celebrant, identified by white/black hat. Eyo Laba, identified by the red hat. Eyo Oniko, identified by the yellow hat. Eyo Ologede, identified by the green hat. Eyo Agere, identified by the purple hat. ¹

2000, c ommemorating Justice G.B.A. Coker, a Lagos high chiefs, the Olori Adimu and the Olori Eyo of the Adimu Eyo cultural masquerade. ¹

2009, Eyo play of 2009 was performed in memory Chief T.O.S. Benson, S.A.N., First Republic Minister of Information and Broadcasting and an illustrious son of the state, who held the traditional titles of 'Baba Oba' (Father of the King) of Lagos and Baba Sale of Isale Eko. ¹

The text above is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Eyo festival”, available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 licence. ¹

Eyo festival is festival in Lagos, Nigeria, according to the structured record cited below. This entry was generated automatically from that record and has not yet been reviewed by a person familiar with the tradition. ²

The source record links this tradition to 2 external registers, which can be verified through the citation. ²