Culture and colour come out in praise of a Nigerian king

A woman in a colourful headscarf, sun glasses and a red bead necklace is holding a yellow feather fan.Image source, Ayo Bello / BBC
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Thousands gathered on Sunday in an ancient town in south-west Nigeria for a spectacular display of culture, colour and tradition.

The Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu-Ode, brought together locals and visitors to pay homage to the Awujale - the traditional ruler of the Ijebu people.

This union of drummers, musicians and dancers coupled with a fashion parade told a tale of people deeply connected to their roots.

Ojude Oba - a Yoruba phrase meaning "the kings forecourt" - began over two centuries ago.

Earmarked for the third day after Eid, this was originally a modest gathering of the Muslim faithful, thanking the king for allowing them to practise their religion freely.

But it has grown to symbolise pride, unity and identity among all the Ijebu people regardless of religion.

A group of women in stadium seating in orange dresses holding green feather fans. Image source, Ayo Bello / BBC

The women were elegantly turned-out in colourful traditional dresses, known here as iro and buba, along with the gele, or head wrap.

Their outfits were made from lace or aso-oke, a locally sourced fabric woven by the Yoruba people.

Women hold up purple fans to cool themselves and shield themselves from the sun.Image source, Ayo Bello / BBC
A woman in white holds a small parasol and an electric fan to cool herself.Image source, Ayo Bello / BBC

The sunglasses and hand fans meant to provide respite for the blistering sun were must-have accessories, complementing the looks.

Image gallery 1Skip image gallerySlide 1 of 4, Two men in traditional attire, one purple and one green, stand in the sun.,

Dressed in traditional Yoruba agbada, the men agree months ahead on what outfits, colour and accessories to use for the festival.

Each year, they tweak the style and colour and display. Accessories include matching caps, beads and shoes.

A semicircle of men in blue attire holding up fans.Image source, Ayo Bello / BBC

Regardless of social status, the people are classified into age groups known as regbe-regbe, with hundreds belonging to each one. They are aimed at fostering unity among the locals.

Image gallery 2Skip image gallerySlide 1 of 3, A man on a decorated horse dressed in blue brocade.,

The horses were adorned in colourful ornaments of gold and silver. Their riders displayed their prowess and the strength of their horses circling the arena to thunderous applause from spectators.

Shots from locally made guns sent white smoke into the air, signalling the arrival of each of the traditional warrior family, known as Balogun or Eleshin.

They protected the Ijebu kingdom from external aggression at one time.

Image gallery 3Skip image gallerySlide 1 of 4, A woman in a pink head scarf and holding a pink feather fan.,

The flamboyant parade of culture provides an economic boost to the area as dress makers, weavers, shoe makers, jewellers and others are contracted to make the desired outfits and matching accessories.

Additional reporting by Ayo Bello and Kyla Herrmannsen

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