The ancient palace of Ile-Ife radiated colour, culture, and spiritual depth recently as His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, led the grand celebration of the New Yam Festival, locally known as Odun Isu.
Steeped in centuries-old Yoruba tradition, the festival marks the arrival of the new yam harvest, a sacred crop symbolizing life, fertility, abundance, and continuity in agrarian heritage.
The day began with solemn rites in which the Ooni presented freshly harvested yams to the deities and ancestral spirits, offering prayers of thanksgiving for a fruitful season and blessings for the year ahead.
By his side was his wife, Her Regal Majesty Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, whose graceful presence added dignity and warmth to the ceremonies.
Both monarch and queen were resplendent in ornate Yoruba attire, welcomed by the rhythmic beats of the gangan (talking drum), praise chants, and jubilant shouts from chiefs, priests, cultural troupes, and a large gathering of worshippers and well-wishers.
The palace courtyard came alive with traditional music, indigenous dances, praise-singing, and vibrant processions, each element underscoring the cultural richness of the Yoruba people. In keeping with custom, guests and dignitaries were served delicacies made from the freshly harvested yam, reinforcing the central role of food in Yoruba communal life and hospitality.
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More than just a feast, Odun Isu serves as a spiritual bridge between past and present—reminding the Yoruba nation of its enduring connection to the land and to the ancestral guardians who have safeguarded its prosperity for generations. For farmers, it is a moment of gratitude and renewal; for the community, it is an affirmation of unity, identity, and resilience.
The day’s events once again positioned the Ile-Ife Palace as a living symbol of cultural preservation, attracting attention from across Nigeria and beyond. By blending ancient rites with modern recognition, the Ooni of Ife continues to ensure that Yoruba heritage remains vibrant, relevant, and celebrated on the world stage.
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