Orangun of Ila celebrates Isinro, marks 10th anniversary

                                                                      
YORUBA land has very rich culture, tradition, values and norms considered as unassailable and  one of the best in the world.
It is a tradition rooted in the genealogy of the race which distinguishes it from others, making it a point of reference in the mode of dressing, celebration of festivals, moral values and many other historically deep and meaningful etiquette.

The rich cultural value of the region was displayed recently in Ila -Orangun  during the year 2013  annual celebration of Isinro Festival of life  which heralds new year for the people of the town.
As it was done by the forefathers, so was it enacted on that Friday, 13 October, in Ila Orangun.
The ancient  town,  which holds prime place in the history of Yoruba land  is the headquarters of Ila Local Government, the State of Osun. Fifty gun salutes were fired to alert the indigenes and residents to the traditional and cultural glee about to commence  and the need to put on their dancing shoes, best attires and be ready to fulfill the tradition so that it could be well with the town.
This year’s celebration was  not only significant but unique as it fell on the 10th anniversary of Oba Wahab Kayode Oyedokun Bibire 1.
Thus, the king and his people had  a double portion of celebration, making  that day gleeful and gay for all the children of Orangun at home and in the Diaspora.
 The Isinro Festival was packaged in an exciting  carnival-like mood.
 Oba Oyedokun, clad  in a complete  white  lace ( Agbada)  and the Senior  Olori, who  was gorgeously  costumed, made a special hairstyle  called “Olori Maarun,” together with the Junior Olori, dressed exactly like a  Benin queen,  were a beautiful sight to behold.
The convoy was very long, as the black convertible car on which Kabiyesi  and the Olori sat, was surrounded by  chiefs and  indigenes of the town that  came out in their multitude to join  Kabiyesi in  the traditional procession round the town  amidst songs and dances.
 While the procession was  on, Kabiyesi made a stop at  a point, which was believed to be the spot  where the Ila chiefs departed from Ayedu, a warrior who was said to have come with the intention of taking  Ila into captivity during the ancient time. Here, some of the indigenes paid homage and obeisance to Kabiyesi and showered him with gifts while he, in return,  prayed for them, shaking his traditional horsehair to seal the prayers.
Offering an insight into the ceremony,  Chief  Ade  Ifatola, the Olota of Ila Orangun, explained  that “ Isinro Festival has  been part of us here in Ila Orangun since time immemorial.
 Isinro is one of the most important festivals in Ila, which is why we don’t just pick a date for its  celebration unless dictated by the Ifa oracle.
This is because it involves some traditional steps  and the essence is to pray for good development,  progress and warding off evils from the town. During our ancestors’ period, there was an Ifa called Owonriwonsa, there was this warrior called Ayedu, he was a great warrior who won  every battle and he came to Ila with the intention of taking us into captivity but  Orangun was a great warrior—and it is also a tradition in Ila that nobody has  ever confronted Ila  and succeeded  the practice was that time.
Our fathers consulted the Ifa oracle which directed them on what to do.
The oracle instructed that Ayedu  should be given food and they prepared pounded yam for him. After  eating, Ayedu was hypnotised, confused and scattered.
After five days of being in the state of confusion, he decided to take his exit from the town. The people consulted Ifa again on what to do.  Ifa again instructed them to clothe him and after escort him out to the border of the town. After seeing him off the town, our people prayed, rejoiced and thanked God for successfully ex- communicating war, sorrow, hunger, confusion and crisis and ushering in harmony, love, peace and development. And that is the genesis of what we are celebrating today.”
“We should continue to work towards enhancement  and promotion of our  culture in Yoruba land.”
The Yeye Asa of Ila Orangun, Chief (Mrs) Adeola Faleye,  in her own view, said  the  Isinro Day is the  grand finale of  17 days’ festival,  “From historical antecedents, today being the grand finale of Isinro, our Kabiesi will come out and visit several  sections of the large community.
“This affords the people the opportunity to be able to see him live,  and different age groups, lineages, and others will come and pay homage to the monarch and give him gifts and he will respond  through prayers.
“In the ancient times, that was the only day when  the people saw their kings face to face. You know the kabiyesi in the olden days used to stay in the palace and people went there to meet them.
“But things are changing,  and apart from the fact that things  are changing, it is a day when Kabiyesi ends the festival period with a  visitation to some sections of the community and blesses the people.”
In a short interview, the Orangun of  Ila, Oba  Wahab Kayode Oyedokun , Bibiire,  who was visibly happy,  said  “Isinro is a festival  and a year of appreciation, thanking people for their cooperation so far. It is  the end of a year.
“In our  traditional calendar in Ila here, we have  17 days forming a month, so when you have 17 in 17 places, you have completed a year. And  to end  that year, there should be what is called Isinro, thanking people and preparing for a new year; that is just Isinro.”
Speaking on his 10th anniversary on the throne, Oba Oyedokun said “it has been years of fulfillment, years of challenges. I want to thank my people for the love, the cooperation I received from them; from the spiritual end, the alfas, pastors and traditionalists.
“They really cooperated with me to move the town forward, so it is a thing we should celebrate. Having spent 10 years on the throne is a thing of joy and we have to celebrate.
“There were challenges that drew  me a little bit backward, but thank God  that we are now getting over them.”
Speaking on the relationship between Ila – Orangun and Oke- Ila Orangun ,  which  also celebrates  Isinro  Festival, Oba Oyedokun informed: “The two communities are the same. It is just a matter location and landmass. Our father was just too luck to have successful and daring sons who established prosperous towns, Ila  and Oke Ila.
I want to  appeal to my people that they should see their town as theirs;  a hundred years in foreign land is nothing. They should come home and  support us to develope the town together as  we cannot do it alone. I cannot do it alone with my chiefs, all my children all over the world, both at home and in the Diaspora, should come home and join me in taking  Ila to a greater height.”

source: tribune.com.ng