Osara festival: Ooni cautions against blacklisting of Yoruba heritage

The Ooni of IIfe, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi(Ojaja II) has cautioned against blacklisting the African cultural heritage, saying the culture and traditions of the African people especially Yoruba race remain the best in the world

The Africa’s topmost monarch gave the warning during the celebration of Osara annual festival in Ile-Ife.

He frowned at what he described as the ignorance of those who mistake cultural celebration for idol worshipping.

“Ile-Ife is a land of mysteries which should adequately acknowledged, saying that is why these festivals are being rejuvenated and showcased to the world in appreciation the goodness of God with a view to profitably enhancing the continent’s socio-economic development through tourism,” he added.

The royal father explained that one essential thing God created for human sustainability is water, saying that

While enumerating the relevance of Osara, the king said it was related to the importance of water and has a link with the Lagoon in Lagos State.

He reaffirmed that water was an indispensable companion needed by everyone to function as human beings.

He said, “Osara is called ‘OSA’ in Lagos which is known as Lagoon with its source at Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba. Whatever happens inside Osara river in Ile-Ife will reflect in the Lagoon and it will be notified from the source.”

He therefore called on all and sundry to cherish the culture, tradition and heritage inherited​ from our ancestors for the benefit of mankind and other generations coming.

Also, the Custodian of Osara, Chief Priest Isola Osunwusi, stated that Osara was the mother of Yoruba race, who gave birth to Okanbi and Okanbi gave birth to seven children.

Meanwhile, Mrs Phoenix Savage, the Yeye Olomo Osara, who came from Missisipi, United States of America lauded Ooni Ogunwusi for promoting Yoruba tradition and cultural heritage.

“I came to Ile-Ife for Osara festival from Mississippi in America so as to play my role as Chief Priest in US. I urge all to support the efforts of Oba Ogunwusi in promoting the Yoruba culture,” Savage said.

Osara is one of the Yoruba’s 401 deities sent by the Almighty Olodumare(GOD) to manage the earth. While Oduduwa, Oranfe Onileina(SANGO), Ogun Ifa Orunmila and Olokun are in charge of prayer, fire/thunder, iron, oracle and Sea/ocean respectively, Osara was in charge and remains the goddess of lagoon globally.