By Ade Iyamoye
In an expression of cultural identity and ancestral reverence, the people of Iyamoye in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State have once again reconnected with their roots through the celebration of the Awaja Festival; one of the community’s most sacred and symbolic traditional events.
Led by the Aku Idofin’s choice of Obadofin, Chief Adefarati Mesubi, clans across the Iyamoye kingdom visited the ancestral Awaja shrine- which falls directly within his Idofin domain but shared and reverred by the entire Iyamoye community- to perform cleansing rituals aimed at purging the land of evil, restoring peace, and invoking blessings of fertility, health, and prosperity.
The Awaja Festival, deeply rooted in the spiritual heritage of Iyamoye, is more than a cultural display. It is a symbolic reunion with ancestors; a time when the living commune with the spirits of the founding forebears to seek guidance, renewal, and collective progress.
“The festival reminds us of who we are, where we come from, and the sacred traditions that define us,” Chief Mesubi said, adding that “We must return to our ancient landmarks. Culture and tradition are our identity.”
Mesubi decried the neglect of traditional values in recent times, warning that the community’s backward slide is a direct consequence of abandoning the customs that once ensured order, unity, and development.
Speaking on his visit to the Awaja shrine, he said, “That is the tradition I grew up to know. I will stand with our ancestors and the beliefs that sustained our people until we began to derail.”
As the newly appointed Obadofin- whose ratification by the Ijumu Local Government as Obadofin of Iyamoye is eagerly awaited, Mesubi vowed to revive Iyamoye’s cultural consciousness and prioritize unity, truth, and justice.
He pledged to tackle issues affecting Idofin, including erosion through drainage desilting, improved access roads, environmental sanitation, and local security.
“I cannot do this alone,” he said, “I need the cooperation of all our people. Together, we must harness our human and intellectual resources to bring fortune back home.”
He also emphasized the importance of responsible leadership and youth empowerment. “I will not share money or make promises I cannot fulfill. Rather, people will be encouraged to bring up empowerment proposals – then we discuss them and see what is achievable. This is the time for our youth to be responsible,” he added.
Calls have grown in recent years to preserve the Awaja Festival as a vital part of Kogi State’s cultural tourism offering. For the people of Iyamoye, it remains a time of reflection, unity, and renewed hope; a moment when the past lights the path to the future.
