At Obatala Festival, Otunba Gani sells religious tourism

The culture of religious observance holds a pride of place in many Yoruba communities. Little wonder that Chief promoter of Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF) and convener of Oodua Progressive Union, Otunba Gani Adams, wants it to remain sacrosanct. more....

At the recent Obatala Festival, which held at the Baptist Primary School, Igangan, Oyo State, the significance of this festival was, once again, echoed. Gani Adams recalled OFF organises events, particularly festivals that put the various deities of the Yoruba in spotlight thereby perpetuating memories of our indigenous religion and culture.

The celebration of festivals, he added, in honour and homage to Yoruba gods, was the foundation’s way of contributing to the growth and development of tourism as a potential but unexplored alternative revenue earner that can accentuate our common quest for the economic development of Yoruba land and Nigeria.

“Religious tourism within the country is an important economic development and growth that we often fail to recognise. It offers huge potentials to economic patronage and development. Each time our people travel to other countries for religious pilgrimage, they assist in the economic development of those countries. It is our belief that our religions and their festivals can assist the process of Nigeria’s economic development.”

In Yoruba religious belief, he said, the Orishas are next to Olodumare, the Almighty God, because they act as ministers and assist the Omnipotent, Omniscience and Omnipresence, who superintends over the earth and activities of human beings.”

Among the legions of primordial deities (the Orishas) in Yorubaland and even in climes outside Africa, where Yoruba religious and cultural practices continue to gain acceptance, he said, “for instance, Obatala is called Orisha in Latin America. He is the one authorised by Olodumare to create land over the water beneath the sky, and it is he who founded Ife, the first Yoruba city, where life began.”

Chief Adams also said: “Obatala, also known in the Americas as Ochala or Oxala, Orichala or Orichala or Orixala, is the oldest “Orisha funfun” (white deity). He represents purity. In Candomble, a religion prevalent among African descendants in Brazil, Obatala has been syncretized with Our lord of Bonfim, and is the subject of a large syncretic religious celebration, the Festa do Bonfim, which takes place in January in city of Salvador-Bahia. Festa do Bonfim involves the washing of the church steps with special water made with flowers. In Saneria, Obatala is also syncretized with Our Lord of Mercy and Jesus of Nazareth.”

Back to Yoruba land, he said Obatala “is Oluwa Aye (Lord of the earth), The Alabalashe (he who has divine authority), Baba Arugbo (Old master or father), Baba Araye (Master or father of all human beings and Orishanla (the arch divinity.) Also, Obatala is the father and head of all the Orisa of Yorubaland. He is the most senior Orisha, Obatala is the king of white clothing; he is the image and symbol of Olodumare on earth.

The importance of the occasion was attested to by the calibre of dignitaries in attendance. They included Oba Lasisi Olawuyi Adeoye, Gbadewolu 1, The Asigangan; Oba Rafiu Osulale Mustapha Ade shon 11, Owojo of Oke-Iho; Oba Okeniyi Olri, Asewo of Ayete; Oba Fasasi Adekunle Jimoh, Onisagawon of Saganwo; and Oba aderoju Onikola, Onidere of Idere.

Others were Oba Samuel Adeleye, Onidofin of Idofin; Chief Tiamiyu Oladoja, Mogaji Ijohu Oke-Iho; Chief Jacob Adedekun, Jagun of Tapa; Chief Oladejo Olabode, Olukotun of Eruwa, among others.
Igangan Cultural Troupe, Oodua Band, Imoje Cultural Troupe and Ijeka Masquerade entertained guests with cultural performances.