By Jimoh Ahmed
Every September, the ancient town of Owo in Ondo State bursts into life with a spectacle unlike any other in Yorubaland — the Igogo Festival, a celebration rooted in love, tradition, and cultural heritage. With over 600 years of history, Igogo is not just a festival; it is a living narrative of a queen’s love, sacrifice, and the community’s enduring respect for culture.
For two weeks, Owo transforms into a stage of color, pageantry, music, and dance. The town square, palace grounds, and streets all echo with the sound of drums, flutes, and chants as indigenes at home and abroad, alongside tourists, converge to witness a ritual that fuses mythology with modern festivity.
The Legend Behind Igogo
At the heart of the festival lies the story of Queen Oronsen, a mythical wife of an Owo king centuries ago. Oronsen was no ordinary queen; she was a goddess who descended from the spirit world to live among mortals. According to legend, she set down certain taboos in the palace — forbidding the pounding of okra, the wearing of caps or head ties in her presence, and the splashing of water where she walked.
For years, the people observed her rules faithfully, until one fateful day when the taboos were broken. Feeling betrayed, Oronsen fled the palace and vanished into the sacred Igbo Ulaja forest. But before she disappeared, she left a decree: that Owo should celebrate her annually, in a festival of remembrance.
Thus, Igogo was born — a festival to honor Oronsen, celebrate love, and mark the unity between Owo’s royalty and its people.
A City in Festive Mood
The atmosphere during Igogo is electric. In the weeks leading to the festival, Owo wears a new look. Markets bustle with unusual activity; women weave special attires in rich purple, white, and yellow. Children rehearse dances, while drummers fine-tune their instruments. Hotels and family compounds prepare to welcome guests traveling in from across Nigeria and abroad.
The air is filled with anticipation — for Igogo is more than a cultural performance; it is a homecoming. Sons and daughters of Owo return to reconnect with their roots, renewing bonds with family and community.
The Olowo’s Unique Appearance
One of the most striking aspects of Igogo is the regal appearance of the Olowo of Owo, the paramount ruler of the kingdom. Unlike other festivals where Yoruba kings appear in crowns and elaborate beaded regalia, the Olowo takes on an entirely different look during Igogo.
He appears bareheaded, adorned with a special coral-beaded cap, and dressed in beaded attire with flowing costumes. The Olowo also wears a skirt-like wrapper — symbolizing Queen Oronsen and her feminine essence.
Accompanied by chiefs and traditional priests, the Olowo dances through the streets of Owo, holding horse tails in both hands. The people cheer, sing, and clap, for in that moment, the monarch embodies both the authority of kingship and the grace of the departed queen.
Dances of History and Devotion
Dance is the heartbeat of Igogo. The Olowo and his chiefs perform the Ugho dance, a slow, rhythmic movement that reflects dignity and spiritual depth. Accompanying drummers beat the Agogo drums, producing deep, resonant sounds that echo across the kingdom.
Women also play a crucial role. Clad in matching wrappers and adorned with coral beads, they sing ancient songs passed down through generations. These songs tell of Queen Oronsen’s virtues, her anger, and the people’s promise never to forget her.
Each performance is more than entertainment; it is a ritual act of remembrance, binding the present generation to their ancestors.
Rituals and Symbolism
The Igogo Festival is replete with symbolism. During the celebration:
Caps and head ties are forbidden — a direct nod to Oronsen’s ancient taboo. For the duration of the festival, even visitors must respect this rule.
No pounding of okra is allowed — households avoid this dish in memory of the queen’s preferences.
Sacrifices and prayers are offered in sacred groves, especially Igbo Uda, the forest where Oronsen disappeared.
These rituals ensure that Igogo remains not just a tourist attraction, but a sacred covenant between Owo people and their queen.
Tourism and Modern Appeal
While rooted in history, Igogo has grown into a modern cultural attraction. In recent years, there has been appeals to the Ondo State government to promote it as a potential tourist goldmine, capable of generating revenue and putting Owo on the global map.
Cultural enthusiasts, researchers, and international tourists now travel to Owo to experience Igogo’s uniqueness. Hotels record full bookings, local traders make brisk sales, and the town’s economy booms.
The festival also provides a platform for cultural diplomacy. By showcasing Yoruba traditions in such grandeur, Igogo reinforces Nigeria’s identity as a nation of rich and diverse heritage.
Igogo and the Owo Identity
For indigenes of Owo, Igogo is more than spectacle — it is identity. It binds the community across generations and social classes. Whether rich or poor, male or female, every Owo son and daughter feels a sense of belonging when the festival drums roll.
The event also reinforces loyalty to the throne. The Olowo’s central role in Igogo reminds the people of their cultural roots and the unbroken link between monarchy and tradition.
Challenges and Preservation
Like many traditional festivals, Igogo faces challenges. Modernisation, religious tensions, and declining youth interest threaten its survival. Some view it as mere paganism, while others argue that Westernization is eroding traditional values.
Yet, cultural custodians are fighting back. The palace, cultural organizations, and community leaders are investing in documentation, digital promotion, and cultural education in schools. Efforts are underway to include Igogo on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage, which would ensure international recognition and preservation.
A Festival of Love and Continuity
Above all, Igogo is a festival of love. Its very origin is rooted in the story of Queen Oronsen — a goddess who loved her people, and a people who never forgot her sacrifice. The dances, songs, and rituals are living testaments to that bond.
Every year, as the Olowo dons his coral-beaded skirt and the town erupts in dance, Owo tells the world a simple truth: that culture endures when people choose to remember.
Igogo is more than a festival. It is Owo’s soul, celebrated in rhythm, remembered in myth, and lived through generations.
Conclusion
The Igogo Festival stands today as one of Nigeria’s most unique cultural heritages. Beyond the pomp and pageantry, it teaches lessons of loyalty, memory, and love. For Owo, it is a time of unity and identity. For Nigeria, it is a reminder of the wealth of traditions yet untapped for tourism and cultural diplomacy.
As the drums of Igogo beat again this September, they echo not just in the streets of Owo, but in the heart of every Nigerian who believes that our heritage is worth preserving.
