The World Obatala festival aimed at promoting the Yoruba culture and tradition is set to hold from January 15 to 28, 2019 in IIe-Ife, Osun State.
Obatala festival which is in its seventh edition is a two weeks long activity which is expected to begin with a colloquium on January 15 at the Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
A statement by the Organising Secretary on the Obatala Festival, Oba Alamo Obatala Ife, Oba Olufemi Dada Oludayo-Akowe, said the festival is an annual event held in IIe-Ife because it is the cradle of mankind and will be organized by the Ooni in Council, His Imperial Majesty, Oonirisa Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife through the Arole Obatala, Loja Iranje Idita Ife, the Obalesun Obatala Agbaye HDG Oba Isoro O.O.O Dada.
According to Yoruba mythology of creation, Obatala is the prominent messenger of the Almighty God who aided the creation of humans by helping with the formation of the human head.
The Organising Secretary said that during the Obatala festival, devotees and worshippers of Obatala, a religious group would engage and entertain guests through dancing and cultural performances by different groups in commemoration of Obatala, the goddess of creativity.
Obatala festival creates an avenue for the gathering of both cultural and religious groups to honour the great Yoruba deities, Obatala, who was believed to have been sent on a very crucial mission by the Almighty creator.
The goddess mostly reverenced by the Yoruba race left an indelible mark in the life of mankind; the Yoruba in particular often celebrate her because she was an intercessor between mankind and the Almighty.
The festival is celebrated in IIe-Ife, Nigeria as well as Brazil, Haiti, Cuba, United States, Trinidad, Tobago and West African countries.
Meanwhile, leading corporate bodies, multinational companies, foreign embassies and tourists have signified interest in being part of this year’s festival.
Most significant is the fact that the Yorubas in other African countries have signified their intention to attend the event.
