* Prayers for fruitfulness, prosperity at festival
By John Odunayo
Otun Ekiti, the headquarters of Moba Local Government of Ekiti State was the centre of attraction on Saturday as the community celebrated the revered Atapo Olomo Otun Festival 2024.
The Oore of Otun, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, just like his forebears, was the cynosure of all eyes as he wore the Ade Ero for the festival.
The people of Otun Ekiti came out in their numbers to be part of the celebration and partake in the blessings and goodness that the festival brings.
Historically, the special crown, Ade Ero, depicts paramount crown in Otun Ekiti Mobaland.
What a beauty to behold and a solemn moment as the Oore, who is the Chief Priest of the community on the occasion,
moves slowly and spiritually and as well danced to the music of the ancient Oloris in the Palace at a particular spot reserved for that ritual.
In a ceremony which has its connotation to the people, the Oore appears in another crown for the next stage and headed for the Okelebo shrine, where he, in line with the tradition, as the chief priest of the land, slaughtered the ram.
The Oore at this stage, offered prayers for the fruitfulness of Otun Ekiti, Mobaland, Ekiti State and Nigeria. He also prayed especially for the prosperity of Otun Ekiti indigenes at home and abroad.
This was accompanied by the Oore dancing as a warrior before moving into the inner chambers of the ancient (old) palace.
