According to Oxford English dictionary, custom is an accepted way doing things in a society or community, hence Ijurin Ekiti, one of the towns and villages in the hilly state of Ekiti is not an exception.
The cultural value of the town ljurin Ekiti therefore remains one of the most interesting piece of study in modern day Nigeria, considering her value,her significance. Though the valiants might have rested their heads in silence but their story, left on ground, remains as flourishing in minds of all the subjects as in all hearts.
Ijurin Ekiti customs and traditional virtues cannot but be broadened for generations yet unborn. Ijurin is a community. The valiants rested their head in silence but their story, being left on ground, still flourishing in all hearts.
Ijurin is my native home. Our custom and traditional values must not be treated with less importance. Hospitality is the motto - Ijurin - the home of hospitality - even where hospitality itself resides. As no one can severe love away from charity; likewise both from hospitality - hospitality, the very attribute of God Himself.
Where else is pounded yam abound than here? Our God and true gods guard the land and farmers; "Sogbe and Ajimokun" (Yams) flourishes in the land as another "Eden".
The people of Ijuurin entirely welcome with a good aromatic and appetizing " Egusi" soup (Melon), "Isapa" is no less than "Rorowo" on very hot pounded yam beside is palm-Wine taking in "Igba" (big calabash).
No one can differentiate the aliens, Sojourners (Settlers) from the indigenes. We share matters, mostly in the former reigns, with kindreds (Kinsmen and kinsmen), that there were no rooms for rebellions. A theft could not successfully operate in this gods-settled land and, in anywise, escaped.
The emergence of the new moon was eagerly awaited by every child in Ijurin, the children were always elated for they believed the appearance of a new moon was yet another opportunity to come together and tell stories. Each family in the community made its own compound to attract children of the family and beyond. For us the young ones, we showcased under the new moon our potential through singing, dancing and sporting activities. The elders told us stories, most of these stories were didactic and were meant to instil morals in the children. The new moon sometimes gave us the opportunity to recite poems that we were taught at school.
"Boju - Boju" (hide and seek) game is one of the moonlit sporting. The game is the mostly renowned and loving game amongst children of Ijurin, the children always enjoyed the moonlit sporting/activities. Ijurin is to be loved in all manners of dispensing their custom and tradition.
But where is Ijurin Ekiti?
Ijurin is one of the 22 towns in the old Ijero kingdom and one of the fifteen towns in the present Ijero local government area which came directly from Ile Ife and settled at different locations, before settling at this our present location.
The main language spoken by the indigenes of Ijurin Ekiti is Ekiti Dialect and the Yoruba language.
Culture is broadly described as a way of life of a part icular group of people. The ways of life of one group of people will surely have some elements of divergence, however close to another one. This is what makes a group of people to be distinct and unique in their settlement. Being one of the ancient towns in Ekiti State Ijurin Ekiti is known, addressed and attributed with certain traditions and cultures which are important parts of their history . Specially, the unique dressing of the the people of Ijurin deserves much attention . This is premised on the impact of Western culture of the present generation, making the dressing culture suffer an agony of slow departure. In the period before the onset of 21st century, the males predominantly dressed in 'Buba and Sokoto' with fitted cap while the females dressed in 'Iro and Buba' with 'Gele', the chiefs dressed in traditional attire and put on beads on their neck and wrist both male and female Chiefs'
Female chiefs'.
The king, bearing the title "Ojurin" always dress in big attire called 'Agbada' with Crown and beads on his neck and on his wrists as shown in the picture below.
The King and his Olori.
Before the introduction of foreign religion, Ogun, Sango, Ifa and Elero are the gods/goddess which our forefathers worships in those days. This is evidently supported with the pictorial scenes below.
In the ancient days, every creature inhabiting Ijurin were then like a bunch of broom: everyman is another's friends; every animals, as well, by their loves to their bearers, are men's friends and indeed, the lover of the land: for the dogs barks when stranger is seen, the fowls and others, likewise give their signs; and all, by the power of unity, are knowledge to men.
The use of town criers was essentially attributed with the people of Ijurin as a cultural and traditionally acknowledged medium of communication.
In unity, the breeder of peace, a man can volunteer himself to be an Information passer (Town crier)- One of the famous town criers recorded in the town was a man widely known as "Abamuroko" of Asao Compound. He was well renowned for his display of traditional intelligence in dissemination of information to the people in entirety. Always accompanied with a long rod, the gong and it's stick, Abamuroko would March round the corners of the town, disseminating information while a heavenly silence was observed as the town criers unfolded his message - while beating the gong, arouses all ears to the gods' land tidings - greetings to all inhabitants, no matters how harsh or mild situation maybe.
Information usually shared by the town crier, known as the voice of the king included : communal work( Ise Ilu), festival celebration, ritual duties,, market and community business, issues relating to health, security issues and consciousness (essentially when there was a security challenge or influx of strangers with scaring appearance), visits of prominent government agencies, meetings of elders and chiefs on one prominent issue, welcome of renowned individuals from the town among many others.
No one is greater than this land's norms; meanwhile, who dare defies ? In what abode; under which man's roof can rebellion concealed and yet till the last hour unbroached ? Even when the spirit of unity, as of oath to be faithful to this gods' inhabitation, edified; who dare stands against the peace of another ?
Oh! Before the night falls, " Abamuroko" would summon all ears to hear of the matter; as if he was a seer, and no: he was only the hearer and broacher of all matters.
When year rounds for festivals, the chief priest announced the sighting of the new moon and the king sent for "Abamuroko" to officially announce the approaching ceremony in the community; immediately preparations for the festival's will begins... The beauties of this unique tradition are : efficient and widely acclaimed information to the people of Ijurin. Since information is regarded as power, the people were emboldened and prepared always. Also, the people were strongly united with the bond of information .It should be placed on record that the town crier usually perform his official duties in the dead evening in order to ensure that everyone was back from their various farms. Added to this is that the tradition continues unhindered up till the present era.
Oh! Peaceful dust unto your face "Abamuroko" !!!!!.
THE PROMINENT FESTIVALS IN IJURIN EKITI.
The social life of a particular community can be featured in so many ways, and major parts of which are festivals and cultural ceremonies. Of all the town in Ijero kingdom, Ijurin Ekiti is regarded as a home of festivals, where prominence is placed on their gatherings for celebration. This might be at quarterly intervals or annually.
The mood must be shown to thank the gods. The angels are found in men, the light men are angels, who has no stomach to swallow a night. Once in a year, 'Oshe' (iroko, araba and arere", oaks, osiers, etc.) Doth shed their barks and renews another from pains; when the old barks are painful, they spark away to relieve the blossoming trees to flourish and grown un-overwhelmed from the hands of men. This piece patently examined the festivities and cultural ceremonies in Ijurin Ekiti among the committee of towns in Ijero kingdom.
OGUN:
Being one of the most anticipated festivals in Ijurin, the period of Ogun is appears to be unique. This is due to the various social activities and feast of love that used to herald the scene.
When a year rounds in August, "Ogun" (gods of iron) doth thirsts for new bloods and renews his cloth (palm groves), the climax of this beautiful events are when series of nocturnal activities being done. Thus, to make his sacrificial offerings, must be to appease the lives of men; and to pacify his wrath and fierce anger by presenting male dogs, in fear of this gods, his shine, particularly, are found in diverse places in the community,- "Aba'sinkins" are to be regarded as the highest Ogun priests, who after beheaded some male dogs for the restoration for the land. Besides are drivers and blacksmith (Ogun Agbede).
Thus, a strong celebration(Festival) is here; where - which children sing and dance to Ogun songs before "Akara Ogun" (Ogun-beans-cake) can be served; until the morrow, the dogs' meat would be preserved.
During the day, we are always made to either be following different types of masquerades, or running for seat lives as to avoid been beating by masquerades amongst other.
Some songs are out listed below:-
"Elege ' jege, Kere ge'
" Aba ' gbede, tete pa'ja, pa'ja" etc.
IJURIN DAY:
That cannot be over emphasised among the cultural ceremonies and annual celebrations in Ijurin is the Ijurin Day feast. This usually and traditionally come up every first Saturday in the month of September, and it is primarily a day of united feast, reunion, embrace of one another and a period of self-assessment in the town.
When year rounds in September, there comes IJURIN DAY a great festival of Unity and Love. Ijurin Day is one of the festival celebrates in Ijurin Ekiti, where all sons and daughters come together to celebrate love and unity.
The maiden edition of Ijurin Day program came up in 1989. Why the program? To ensure that at least once in a year, the people of the town comes together to thank God, reunite for the progress of the place of our birth.
ELERO:
Elero is a festival celeebrated annually to mark the end of paucity of food and the beginning of new yam and supplus. Linguistically speaking, the word "elero" is coined from a Yoruba word "ero" which means "serenity" or "pleasantness". Whenever the year rounds, in June, there comes "Elero", another famous goddess - worshipping festivals. Thus, Ijurin and all other towns and settlements around comes to sight of: then would all the inhabitants of Ijurin brings canes and flog each others. The " Eye'lelero, Aba'niba, Aba'ya, Aba'oro, and Aba'aworo-efi are always present at the Elero festival and they perform some rites and rituals to bless the people and the community.
Osun and Ario'yun:
Omittance is no quittance. "Osun and Ario'yun" are no small goddess to mention and talked of. Thus, there with, when their festival approaches; there comes a plead for the rain to wash away all infirmities and the restoration of barren women to fertility -The "Iwarafa'mefa" (The six goddess worshipper's) are formally regarded to be the caretaker of the sacrificial givings and offerings.
The new yam festivals:
The new yam festival also tops the list of annual events in Ijurin. This is traditionally celebrated next to "Elero" thus marking the official beginning of "Ijesu" i.e yam feast. It should be noted that before this day, it a purnishable offence for anyone (however highly placed) to carry the new yam uncovered from the farm. The tradition of the land demands that people should cover the new yam as a symbolic reverence to the god of fertility. Gratefully and in appreciation to the gods that brings the sprouting of the yams into fruition, we celebrate with joy within ourselves.
Here now, as my eyes seen, the story is to be accomplished. More often than not, (been a Juvenal); when comes to the middle month of July (14th of July); I, the youngest boy staying with chief Oluwadare oni, the late Aworo-Efi, as at then, would accompany him to farm; then, he would harvested one tuber of yam from every man each and individually; and gave, in return, and as a sign to recognize his hand for that festival period, a particular leave, and, as well, a spiritual sign to rebuke the cancer worms from the rest (Atonement): and been bound up, would be carried on my head to reached home, where all the rest of atonements been performed and executed.
Thus, we make "Ibete funfun"(half pounded yam-white) and " Ibete pupa"(half pounded yam-mixed with palm oil). Shared for the kids and spread outside for the unseen spirits demanding for theirs, (according to the elders saying) and all for the new yam festive period's blessings.
Oh! How I wish I knew the secret behind this! Therein, some little pounded yam would be made by which no man must dare utter a single word, until dined finished...
As there been some solid norms, some well respected customs and traditions guarding the land and the community in entirety, that implies; there are dos and don'ts (Taboos). Thus, when the don'ts are prevented and avoided, all things are done well.
It is cleared and known, how abominable it is for a place where a hen hatches but only one single chick; therefore, to prevent the abomination, when the ill-deed is done already; we must take such an Hen with some ingredients and cooking materials to the "Esu" shine to pacify the angry god from bringing any abominable things after. The eyes has seen enough of this: such an Hen was often beheaded with mere hands by late chief Oluwadare or the "Iworo's". No one is allowed to take any part away from there to any house.
Likewise dogs and the differences between them was that; the dogs could not be beheaded with bare hands; therefore, it must bust strikes by rod to the death, and likewise, however, its meats must be shared and consumed finished at the spot.... So on!!!!
CONCLUSION:
Ijurin Ekiti, "ilu ti a tedo sori apata", the community of godly people, the community of brave people with high communal spirit, Ijurin Ekiti with high turnover of high quality human capital development, indeed attracts much attention of people as far as culture and traditions are concern.
In those days, Ijurin is nothing but a broom, as one can sweep but nothing: likewise a man (strong or weak ) can do but nothing amongst the multitude. And the gods were so active and authoritarian whatever it says, is granted and accepted, whatever rites or rituals the gods-diviner, original and truthful, and whatever they say is directly from the gods. The gods divinater speaks the mind of the gods. Unlike nowadays, where the truth and cultural values are suffering an agony of slow departure, and there is no fear for the gods....
✍📝
ADEWUMI IDOWU PAUL.
24/04/2020.
