The origin of EYO (Adamun-Orisha)

Badagry Market Day, that is known as the "ABO AGBADAEGI",Orisa Ogunran Adimu were originally brought to Lagos by Alase Odu, Chief Olorogun Agan while Elegba Opopo was brought by Segbeni, Chief Olorogun Igbesodi form Benin during the reign of Oba Ado, over 350 years ago. While Orisa Ogunran is a male Adamu on the other hand is a female.

Both Chief Olorogun Agan and Chief Olorogun Igbesodi settled at Oju-Olokun Street, Chief Olorogun Agan towards the mater side and Chief Olorogun Igbesodi at the beginning of Oju-Olokun Street, which is today known as Abegede, where the Elegba Opopo's shrine is installed.

The origin of Adamun-Orisha play according to findings showed that the genesis of Eyo masquerade public performance must be rooted in legend.
It was also gathered that origin of Eyo masquerade could be traced to two areas in the South-west part of the country. While people of Iperu, Ogun State, claim that Eyo masquerade originated from their town, the people Apa coastal area of Badagry also claimed that the masquerade originated from Badagry where Eyo masquerade play used to take place on market days in the olden days. The Badagry origin seems more agreeable.

However, Eyo masquerade parade began on Lagos Island by traders from Badagry long time ago. The point of performance then was known as Oke-Ita which was later found to be the lagoon end of Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. This was the site where successive kings in Lagos and their chiefs used to visit to watch the Adamun-Orisha play in those days.

Further research into origin of Adamun-Orisha play in Lagos revealed that about the middle of 19th century, the then British Governor could not tolerate long absence of those who matter in the running of affairs of Lagos colony who are fond of going for days from Lagos Island to watch Eyo parade in Ikoyi that was by then could take about three days journey. The British Governor complained that absence of concerned officials was serious enough to disrupt the affairs of Lagos colony. Thus, he ordered that the idea of going to Ikoyi should be stopped.

The British Governor’s directive prompted the elders, chiefs and prominent indigenes of Lagos to invite the maskers of Adamun-Orisha from Ikoyi to relocate to Lagos Island and the maskers agreed to the suggestion. Thereafter, they settled on Lagos Island and became part of the people till date. Hence, (from its original appearance in 1750),: the first performance of Adamun-Orisha on Lagos Island took place on February 20th, 1854 and it was staged in memory of late Oba Akitoye of Lagos.

On that day on Lagos Island, the general public of Lagos saw what they never saw before and witnessed the performance with an exceedingly tumultuous turnout which had remained a characteristic of Eyo masquerade parade till today.

Eyo masquerade parade used to last all day long and it is staged as the funeral obsequies of a King or Chief, and in honour and memory of a deceased eminent Lagosian, who had contributed to the progress and development of Lagos during his or her life time. The festival is only staged for this reason.

Eyo masquerade speaks a ventriloqual voice, suggesting that he was not human and also that he represents the spirit of a departed person. The Eyo symbolizes the arrival on earth of the spirit; in view of this believe, when one meet an Eyo and greet him with the words :‘Agogoro Eyo’ , he is expected to respond thus: Mo yo fun e, mo yo funra mi
On the order of events, a full week before the festival (always a Saturday), 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 would take place on the following Saturday. Each of the four other ‘important’ ones — Laba (Red), Oniko (yellow), Ologede (Green), Agere (Purple) — in this very order take their turns from Monday to Thursday.

There are also revered special outings like that led by the Olori Omobas, the leader of the Princes currently Prince Michael Omoyele Ajose, a Prince of the royal house of Oba Ologun-kutereof Lagos (1749-1775), who himself was a direct descendant of King Ado, the founder of Lagos dynasty (1630-1669). Prince Ajose is from Igaa Suenu, to which the ancestral home of the current Lagos State governor, Raji Fashola could be traced.
Eyo Festival is unique to Lagos area, and it is widely believed that Eyo is the forerunner of the modern day carnival in Brazil. 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 Iga Idunganran.
Here, the participants all pay homage to the Oba of Lagos. Eyo festival takes place whenever occasion and tradition demand, but it is usually held as the final burial rites for a highly regarded chief. Among the Yoruba, the indigenous religions have largely given way to Christianity and Islam, but the old festivals are still observed. The traditional leaders of the Yoruba are the Obas, who live in palaces and used to govern along with a council of ministers.
The Obas’ position is now mainly honorary, and their chief role is during the observance of the festivals. Yoruba festivals honour their pantheon of gods and mark the installation of a new Oba. The Engungun (“en-GOON-gun”) festival, which honours the ancestors, lasts 24 days.

Each day, a different Engungun in the person of a masked dancer dances through the town, possessed by one of the ancestors. On the last day, a priest goes to the shrine of the ancestors and sacrifices animals, pouring the blood on the shrine. The sacrifices are collected, and they become the food for the feast that follows.
Group of Eyo masquerades‘Agogoro Eyooo” (meaning what a tall an imposing Eyo),“Mo yo fun e, mo yo funra mi”(I, Eyoo Masquerades, rejoice with you for seeing this day and I rejoice with myself), is a statement that normally ring out loud all over Lagos, during the Eyo festival masquerade festival.
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.