My first “traditional” festival

May 1, 2011 by Cara Titilayo Harshman

Yoruba traditional religion is something that always fascinated me while I was learning about Yoruba culture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Reading about it in books is nothing like experiencing it in person. We had the chance to travel to Osogbo last month with Kayode’s drum teacher to attend a festival all about the Yoruba deities, called orishas. The title of this week long festival is Osunita. People from all over Nigeria come to Osogbo to honor Iya Osunita (the Osunita mother). Guests sacrifice to various Yoruba Orishas, including Iyalode, Obatala, Eshu, Osun, and Ogun. Yoruba traditional religion and the practice of Ifa divination is a huge topic and I am not attempting to delve into it right now. Today you hear people calling traditional things “fetish”. If something has characteristics of traditional religion or culture, people fear it and call it “fetish”. With the widespread reach of Christianity and Islam, the number of people worshiping Orishas and practicing Ifa is diminishing but from what I saw that day in Osogbo, there is still a strong population continuing the tradition. I want to show these pictures to help you get a sense for what a modern day festival is like.

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Posted in Cultural Events | Tagged festival, Ifa, Nigeria, Osogbo, Osunita, Yoruba traditional religion | 17 Comments

17 Responses

on June 15, 2011 at 3:22 pm | Reply gbawoniyi

I am appalled how nigerian christians have no self-control when it comes to speaking disparagingly about other religions. They have no decorum whatsoever.
on June 15, 2011 at 3:12 pm | Reply gbawoniyi

Hi Titi. What you called a “garbage pile” may actually be a garbage pile or it may be a shrine to the Orisa called “Esu” who is the messenger of the deities. What I can see is that it is so full of sacrificial offerings that I can’t tell….but I’m almost certain it is an Esu shrine. Even if it is a garbage pile, we still regard it as a spot where spirits dwell and accept offerings.

I love your pics of Iya Osunyita’s festival. She is someone I have a great deal of respect for. And your pics capture the spirituality and beautify of my religious community. Stay well.
on May 10, 2011 at 3:00 pm | Reply Joke

Hi Titi, I love your passion for Nigeria, you have inspired me to continue learning as I had stopped after my Yoruba teacher lost his wife. I do say be interested in the culture but be careful. I lived in Lagos for a long time before moving to the UK, Nigeria is a rough place and all these things of deities are not necessarily frowned upon but not right. I am not trying to impose anything on you or anyone else but I am a Christian and am saying be careful, involved in such are spirits that you may not know could be bad or good. In everything take God with you. God bless!
- on May 15, 2011 at 10:40 am | Reply Anonymous
  
  The Orisa are not bad in anyway. This person has had their mind poisoned by prejudice. Disregard this person’s warning and go on with your studies! Ibase Orisa!
  - on June 15, 2011 at 3:13 pm | Reply gbawoniyi
    
    Yes, Titi, please pay no mind to this overzealous misinformed (read “brainwashed”) individual. You are an intelligent person and can see things for yourself as they truly are.
on May 7, 2011 at 7:13 pm | Reply Olusegun

Good work in terms going around to know, see and research the culture…Indeed Yoruba is rich and Nigeria is likewise rich is diverse cultures..but doesnt mean that all is right and good..You must as an individual make the choices that are needed for your self and well being…Orisa and all the fetish things are not good though it used to be what all our forefathers worshiped and partook in but just as information and knowledge opens our eyes in all areas of life..our eyes have been opened to see that they are wrong and ungodly. Everyone has a right to do what they want but as usual every is accountable and one day will answer to their creator..GOD. Christ has come to nullify all the works of darkness and deliver from all our different ignorances..whether behavioural, physical, spiritual, emotional etc.
- on October 29, 2012 at 12:06 am | Reply gbawoniyi
  
  olusegun, you are the poster child for brain-washing. i find it appalling that you christians and muslims constantly demonized the traditions of your grandparents. yoruba bo, won ni “omo ale lo fowo osi juwee ile baba re.” remember that when next you make such a bigotted ignoramus remark. not to mention that you have all been duped into believing that only when foreigners arrived did the yoruba know of “civilization”. that is the madness of nigerians!
  - on October 29, 2012 at 12:08 am | Reply gbawoniyi
    
    by the way, isese l’agba. yoruba people have been worshipping olodumare the yoruba way since along time before europeans colonized nigeria. wake up nigerians!
on May 5, 2011 at 6:53 pm | Reply Tola

Ok, was gonna comment on titis post, but lou’s comment has me intrigued as I also have a great grand pa who’s last name was fatoki from ogun state. I’m also in Maryland. So I think we may be some sort of cousins Lou! Pls email me
on May 4, 2011 at 1:52 am | Reply Olu Irele

I love these blogs and postings. They warm my heart. And the pictures take me way back to my childhood. It is almost as if I were there again. Most importantly,Titilayo is embracing what a lot of us have shied away from. Our culture. Preferring all things Western,including religion.

We had rich cultures and traditions before the oyinbo people came and I am happy they continue to flourish side by side with Western beliefs in this modern age we live in.

Titilayo,you have made me so proud to be an African man. Particularly a Nigerian. Keep them coming.
- on June 30, 2011 at 6:13 pm | Reply gbawoniyi
  
  beautiful words olu irele.
on May 3, 2011 at 10:10 am | Reply Lou

Another great post! I so much enjoy this particular post as it relates to me personally because am from the Ifa lineage myself. My great grand father was an Ifa priest in my village, peharps the reason why my last name is Fatoki. Thanks again and when are you due back in the US?

Lou (maryland) USA
on May 2, 2011 at 2:27 am | Reply Pusoro

Wow, great pictures here.

The one that struck me the most was the windshield of the cab. Very interesting placement of the Nigerian Flag .

And the picture of the kerosene lamps illuminating the night time market is beautiful.
on May 2, 2011 at 1:43 am | Reply Toni

My favorite post by far, i really like this especially the picture of the guy who “really wanted to marry you”, Lmao.
on May 1, 2011 at 8:41 pm | Reply latoya

I think it’s awesome that you had a chance to experience this.
on May 1, 2011 at 7:40 pm | Reply michele

LOVE this post! The pics, explanation of the festivites, ALL of it…FABULOUS!!!
Hugs,
Michele
on May 1, 2011 at 6:44 pm | Reply olayemi

funny photos…like them…the one i like most here is those amala and ewedu soup missing them so badly…

This traditional wears tie and die or better adire is awesome on all of you….African tradition especially Yoruba culture is wonderful…its our heritage of true civilisation…

keep enjoying naija…am yet to see you eat pounded yam…