One of the Eye-catching series of festivals celebrated in Ipele Town, the Ero Festival stands out. The festival attracts not only indigenes and residents of Ipele Town also friends, well wishers, in-laws, co-workers and admirers of culture and tradition in all environs.
Ero festival is an age long ‘age- grade” celebration which brings people of certain age bracket together at a certain time of the year where citizens belonging to same age group return home to celebrate with his or her age mates.
The basic attraction and one unique thing about the Ero Festival is that it comes once in every “Seven Years’ making it different from other festivals in Yorubaland.
Although there are other also festival such as Obalufan, Igogo (festival in remembrance of Oronsen), Ajo (gift- giving in honour of the Olupele by some certain chiefs)
In all these, the festival is associated with certain age where one would be regarded as an elder, known as Ero.
One this occasion, where eminent sons and daughters of Ipele clan are expected to be clad in traditional regalia Comes one of the Prominent sons of the Soil. A lover of culture and tradition to a fault to the delight of spectators.
Prince Eganmidayo Alex OLOYE otherwise known and called Omo ‘Lupele Abeyagho’. A man that moves with grace and candur, A trojan of true culture that transcends all religions beliefs. Prince Oloye beliefs religion is culture and should be accorded respect by all and sundry.
“Christianity and Islam are tradition that belong to the people that brought and introduced them to us and should be respected. In the same vein, our Culture traditional beliefs should also not be misconstrued as evil, our people should equally respect our culture and not put it down for reasons Associated with Islam or Christianity, he said in an interview.
On why it is desirable and necessary that Elders in Ipele town should observe and celebrate the Festival, Prince Oloye said, ‘The festival which comes once in seven years is a highly revered occasion where sons and daughters of Ipele town are considered and respected as Elders with certain exemptions such as manual jobs and other duties which distinguish them as eminent and senior citizens of Ipele town in Ondo State, South West of Nigeria.
He noted that the Festival calls for certain exemption from certain food such as Pounded Yam, being that the Festival can’t be celebrated with New Yam but other delicacies like Semovita, rice, Gari, etc could be eaten.
Prince Oloye who is one of the champions, shakers and well behaved sons of the land has everything to thank God such was for keeping everyone alive to witness Another festival in good health.
“We are happy with grate joy that everyone is alive and healthy to witness and celebrate this festival, a very big occasion that calls for thrills and excitement in each family that have sons and daughters participating.
On the home front, Prince Oloye said, Nigerians should be patient and not too much dependant on what government Can do for them, on the other hand, government should do what the people want. He said it’s good to be happy and lively, alluding to the fact at Ikoyi where the wealthy and influencial people live, their are quietness and calm, but come to Ojuelegba in Lagos where the masses inhabit, there’s happiness and joy. He insisted that there is nothing that surpasses happiness in a community.
There’s no problem in “Nigeria, though, there are individual problems, there was a survey where Nigerians were discribed as one of the happiest people in the world, there’s yet another that says Nigeria is the poverty capital of the world, so either happy or poor, Nigerians are part of it”.
In conclusion, Prince Oloye advice that People should embibe the culture and Spirit of the Festival and celebrate carefully without irritating others who may share their enthusiasm.
