EYO FESTIVAL BY JOHN EMMANUEL

eyo masqurade parade began by traders from badagry on lagos island the point of performance then was known as oke ita,Adamu Orisha play or Eyo (pronounced err-your) festival—the soul of the city’s traditional life—that many times. The truth is no one person has. In fact, from its original appearance in 1750, spectators have seen it a simple 80 times previously. And since it happens so infrequently, sometimes four or eight years apart, each occasion it does it is a must-see ‘exhibition’ for several thousands; and to observe one is enough to leave the culture tourist reminiscing for a lifetime. One came along last August. Only this time around, it would be the paramount activity that marks the final rights of passage for the deceased immediate past king of Lagos, Oba Adeyinka Oyekan 2, who passed on early in March. “If this is not done the chosen successor can’t be crowned king,” says a member of the royal family inside the palace premises to. When it isn’t to royal ends, though, the honorary version is exclusively done for visiting VIPs (international or indigenous) to the city or any late individual who had improved the lot of Lagos while he lived.What Samba is to Brazil the Eyo is to Lagos; it is one of the very few popular local customs not yet effaced by religions introduced from outside the African continent. If that has not happened already then it may never do, as the participants are practicing Christians and Muslims. Besides, “It is so intrinsically synonymous with Lagos that it can never fade out.” Importantly, the natives take the festival and their faiths as one would two opposite pages of a book. One leads to the next, and no one book—life in this case—can be complete without both.
So when indigenous Lagosians speak of the Eyo tradition, they do so with affecting pride and relish. Everyone—from the most elderly to the five-year-olds—spend quality time preparing for the big day; and when the day does finally come a major milestone is achieved.

Last year festival,25th april 2009 the eyo festival is taking place in honour of late Otunba Tos Benson.The order of events for the programme takes a full week with the following processions, the senior eyo group, the adimu(identified by a black broad-rimmed hat),goes puplic with a staff when this happens it means that the event will take place the following saturday.Each of the four important ones Laba(red),Oniko(yellow),Ologede(green),Agere( purple), take their turns from monday to thursday. Over 1000 Eyo masquerades in their white regalia with different hats made of various colours from the five groups, Adamu Orisa, Laba Ekun, Oniko, Ologede and Agere will partake in the festival ,the grand event where they all come together to parade the street of lagosAccording to the Governor of lagos,Nigeria,the eyo adamu orisa in the views of international spectators rank in the pangentory oon a higher plane than the rio carnival.

Note-The festival is making its 81st appearance since September 11, 1852 when it was first held in honour of the late Pa Dosunmu Ashogbon.This time, it is holding in honour of First Republic politician and a prominent lawyer, Chief Theophilus Owolabi Sobowale Benson, an illustrious son of the state who passed on on February 13, 2008. TOS, as the late Benson was popularly called ,was aged 90. At the time of his death, he was the Babasalu and Baba (father of the) Oba of Lagos. So far, the highest number of plays was organised in 1906. That year, the festival was held five times on May 15; August11; September 01; September 22; and December 15, in honour of Ajayi Obanikoro; Ogabi Eletu-Odibo; Iya Ojora, Princess Ibiyeye; Fasheke Olukolu and Iya Oshun respectively.
The festival was held four times in 1909 to honour Oluko Olikoyi on February 20; Aromire Aiyedun on June 5; Ojo Iniyun Kehinde on August 7; and Aromire Adesina on August 21 of the same year in that order.“It was organised three times in 1899, 1903, 1904, 1907, and two times in 1895, 1898, 1912, 1917, 1920, 1957, 1987, 2000 and 2002. The rest of the plays were held once each year. Most remarkable was the event of 1944, which was held in honour of the visit of Queen Victoria of England to Lagos. “Unlike past shows, today's play will hold at the old Race Course, Tafawa Balewa Square as part of effort to reposition it as a major tourism attraction like the Argungu Fishing Festival in Kebbi State.
The customs will not be too different however but the behavioural aspect may change.“The regalia are as super as ever: glistening white outfit, a decorated staff (Opambata) which the artistes manipulate at whims crowned with an unusual royal gait. The Eyo usually wears a distinctive headgear (aga) created quite often from materials usually found among the elites. The dramatist personae often put on a face mask made with transparent lace material for visibility.“The Eyo festival owes a root in the oral tradition of reincarnation among the Yorubas, who believe quite passionately that spirits of departed loved ones live on and ready to strike when necessary to protect the living. “The Eyo symbolizes visit of that spirit hence the usual greeting, “Agogoro Eyo (what a tall and imposing Eyo)” when sighted. In appreciation of such acclamation, the Eyo would usually respond in turn with the saying, “Mo yo fun e, mo yo fun ra mi (I rejoice with you for seeing this day and rejoice with myself)” “History, the families of Ologun-Agan and Ologun Igbesodi have sole right over performance of the Adamu Orisa play. However, actual performance can only be announced by the Akinsiku of Lagos, who is the traditional head of the Adimu cult, and other Eyo groups.