Ijakadi Festival

Last updated
Ijakadi Festival
Ijakadi with Olofa and Essa.jpg
Olofa and Essa
Language(s) Yoruba
Origin
MeaningLocal Wrestling.
Region of originNorthern Region, Nigeria

Ijakadi Is an annual cultural festival in Offa, Kwara state Nigeria it's aimed to promote Nigeria rich culture on international tourism map. [1] [2]

Contents

The word Ijakadi literally means wrestling which has a significant role in the history of Offa.The festival targeted to bridge the gap of rapid erosion of cultural values in the society in other to promote it's cultural traits that have served as the identity of Offa community. [3]

It aimed at promoting fairness, justice and equity among all sons and daughters of the ancient town. [4]

According to the source the community sons and daughters including those in the diaspora, expressed their determination to promote the annual Ijakadi festival of the ancient town, both within and outside the country, to enhance the socio-economic development of Offa and its people. [5] [6]

Celebrations

During the festival people come from different walks of life to celebrate the festival its usual takes place annually in December. The people of Offa put on traditional clothes and there are masquerades dancing and drumming including mock wrestling between olofa of offa and the higest chief Essa. [2]

Significance of the festival

The community believe that the festival would promote love and communal bond that can transform the festival into a global event and promote social cultural development. [7] [8]

Notable individuals who have earlier attended the festival includes

The image of Olofa of Offa during the Ijakadi Festival Olofa declared winner at the Ijakadi Festival.jpg
The image of Olofa of Offa during the Ijakadi Festival
The image of Olofa of Offa during the Ijakadi Festival Ijakadi with Olofa and Essa.jpg
The image of Olofa of Offa during the Ijakadi Festival
The image of Olofa of Offa during the Ijakadi Festival Arrival of Olofa at Ijakadi festival 2023.jpg
The image of Olofa of Offa during the Ijakadi Festival

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References

  1. "Ijakadi Festival will promote Nigeria". 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Ijakadi begins on Monday in offa". Daily Nigerian. 2024.
  3. "Ijakadi Festival set to tackle cultural erosion". 2024.
  4. Ogunyemi, Ifedayo (2019-12-29). "Ijakadi festival aimed at promoting equity ― Olofa". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  5. "Ijakadi festival to promote socioeconomic devt in Offa". www.ilorin.info. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  6. "impact of ijakadi festival on socio-cultural development of offa". ResearchGate.
  7. https://radionigeria.gov.ng/2022/12/29/ijakadi-festival-demonstrates-love-communal-bond-lai/
  8. Adebayo, Abdulrazaq (2023-11-03). "Kwara community moves to transform 'Ijakadi' into global festival". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  9. "You are being redirected..." kwarastate.gov.ng. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  10. Anyanwu, Samuel (2018-01-01). "'Ijakadi Festival' to be included in National festival calendar - Minister". Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  11. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/12/ijakadi-festival-included-national-festival-calendar-lai-mohammed/
  12. 1 2 Anyanwu, Samuel (2016-11-17). "Minister hails revival of centuries-old festival, promises support". Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation. Retrieved 2024-10-31.