In Igbara-Odo Ekiti, pounded yam symbolises unity

For the people of Igbara-Odo Ekiti, in Ekiti state, the ‘Airegbe Day’ popularly known as pounded yam unity festival is a day the entire community anticipates with enthusiasm. The festival is held annually in Igbara Odo-Ekiti,  a town located in   Ekiti South –West LGA of  the  state to welcome the arrival of the new yam […]

For the people of Igbara-Odo Ekiti, in Ekiti state, the ‘Airegbe Day’ popularly known as pounded yam unity festival is a day the entire community anticipates with enthusiasm. The festival is held annually in Igbara Odo-Ekiti,  a town located in   Ekiti South –West LGA of  the  state to welcome the arrival of the new yam season in the market and the community in general. 
The colorful festival usually attracts indigenes, locals and foreign tourists to the state. Apart from its symbolic nature by uniquely welcoming the arrival of new yams in th area, it also celebrates the unity of the land. It is also believed that the festival has spiritual essence, according to Chief John Owoeye, the Elegiri of Igbara- Odo Ekiti.
The one-day festival, takes a week -long preparation as the elderly and the youth all troop to the farms to harvest yams to be used for the festival. Every family goes agog with the preparations for the special day. On the day of the festival the Chief of the community leads a prayer for prosperity over the land and its produce for the year and declares the festival open.
Weekly Trust observed that when this is done,  small groups are formed by families and friends,  where preparations for the pounded yam commences   and it is eventually  eaten on the farms, in town halls or family compounds as  decided by  each family.
Chief Owoeye revealed to Weekly Trust that when the festival started in the 16th century, the population of the town was very small. He said, sons and daughters of the town were able to gather in one location to eat from the same mortar, which was usually on the farm.
However, with the increase in population of the community, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries, the people now move in smaller groups to the farm to partake in this festival.
Also young men of the community, go for special hunting expedition to get bush meat, as their complementary contribution to the festival; while women busy themselves at home peeling, cooking and pounding the yams to celebrate the festival.
Igbara-Odo Ekiti is a town noted for its several festivals aside the pounded yam unity festival. The pounded yam unity festival is usually celebrated between the months of July and August every year, 17 days after the Ogun Festival (A festival to remember ‘ogun’, the god of iron). Another significant festival in the town is known as ‘Ogoye Festival (a correctional festival used to expose evil deeds and correct wrong doers).
However, because of increase in population and changes in the community, the festival has adapted to several modernization features as well. The festival is now celebrated at home by extended families and youth groups. While those who cannot afford yams for the celebration or cook during the event, usually visit others to join in the celebration.
Chief Owoeye, the Elegiri of Igbar- Odo Ekiti while speaking to Weekly Trust expressed optimism that the festival will never fade away irrespective of the present prevalence of western cultural influence amongst the people. 
“Culture is important to every society and should be kept sacred. Culture makes a big and significant difference in our community. It is celebrated to unite everybody in the town, irrespective of religion, tribe and nationality. It is a festival that celebrates all in the town; we do not segregate or leave those who are not from this town out of the celebration. As long as you are a resident in this community, you are free to celebrate the festival”, Chief Owoeye said. 
“Sometimes, our children do come home from different parts of the country to join in the celebration. It is a culture that is unique to Igbara-Odo Ekiti people and we cherish it very well. The festival is a big deal for us” he added. 
Ariyo Raphael Dare- Atoye a native of Igbara-Odo Ekiti who could not  attend the festival because of tight job schedules,  exclaimed  in Abuja on the said day that  “Today is “Airegbe Day” in my home town, Igbara Odo- Ekiti,  a festival of pounded yam. It is a festival of unity and very symbolic in nature. People will in different groups eat together in a mortal “odo” back in the olden days. But these days, due to modernization people now use plates and for me that has sort of distorted the cultural value of the festival”, he said.
Alexander Obisesan also an indigene of the state   stated that;
 “What I feel about the culture is that it brings the community together and strengthens the unity bond amongst the people. This festival has no sacrifice attached to it which makes it unique in its own way. It’s a cultural festival celebrating the efforts of the people and not an idol”.
“Another idea which I think every community should try and imbibe is the idea of eating together as a group in the same plate,   celebrating the same ideology. Most times, I am normally not around to witness the occasion but this year I made sure I was there to witness it. For me, it represents the true colour of unity in diversity and culture. I will always cherish such festivals and culture as long as there is no idol or fettishness attached to it. The festival is also for a good cause, so it has my support any time any day” he said.
Chief Owoeye also gave a brief history of Igbara-Odo Ekiti.  He said, it was founded in the 16th Century by a progenitor called Asare. However, a warrior, known as Arajaka (as the name implies, ‘Fighting Thunder’) migrated from Ile-Ife (present Osun State) to where Asare was to seek shelter. However, Asare told him to move to another location as two kings cannot reside in the same abode. Arajaka migrated to a location called Oluwurin.
He explained that after a temporary stay in Oluwurin, Arajaka  later returned to Igbara-Odo, and brokered a deal with Asare to settle together due  to the richness of the area. This time, he came with some chiefs – Odigbo, Eseran, Osomo and Ayalodi. Asare accepted them as a renowned warrior, who could also help to secure the territory. They cohabited together. On the death of Asare, Arajaka became the single King of the town and until this day, every successive king of the town has taken after that title – Arajaka.
“We have had over 10 monarchs as Arajaka of Igbara-Odo Ekiti since the first king. The town is also known for special pot making, farming (especially cassava and yam) and has one of the best garri (fried cassava flour) in the country,” Chief John added.