Late December 1896: Last Market Day before Igue Festival.
Edo Iselogbe,
Hi Everyone,
This is my last blog before the great festival of Igue
commences; you are in for a real treat. Just join me.
Ama arrived last night to join Uwa and Me for the festival; she
says she nearly did not make it through the blockade by the Edo soldiers at the
border trying to keep visitors out; anyhow, she and her entourage managed to
convince them that they must attend this festival as they had promised me that
they would and luckily the soldiers know her dad the chief well. So Ama is here
right now spending time with Uwa; tonight Otiti the palace story teller will be
entertaining at Chief Irriah’s compound.
Otiti the mother of all story tellers will be enthralling us
with great tales of our ancestral feats and bravery. There is Oba Eweka, Oba
Ozolua, Oba Esigie and the great others, I suspect though that tonight, we are
going to join in celebrating Oba Ewuare she calls ‘The Great One’. He restored
and strengthened all our celebration so it would be a fitting tribute to him tonight.
The palace, other compounds and family houses about town are
filing up with our families and friends from abroad who have come back specially
to join in this celebration and festival of blessings. All the outskirt Enogies
(traditional Rulers) have arrived and staying at various chiefs' compounds across
town. Gifts of food, drinks, fabric, jewellery they have brought as their
contribution abound about the place. Ama brought a big basketful of smoked and
dried fish, a calabash of tomatoes, okra and other vegetables, a bundle of yams
and a bag of rice. Her mum had sent them with some carriers who had to return after
safe delivery of the goods to my mum. There have been so many contributions
from everyone who has come to join in the celebration that we are going to have
enough food to feed the whole kingdom for the next year. Great!
Here are
some things you need to remember throughout the 9 days festival:
1.
The
reason you have not seen His Majesty and some of his chiefs for some days now
is that they have been preparing for the Igue festival by completing the Agwe
(fasting). So when you see them for the first time on the first day, you need
to cheer at the top of your vocal cords. Your cheerful noise will encourage and
reassure them that they have your full support as a people.
5.
Have
a good rest each night so you are refreshed for the next day’s activities and
events.
6.
Make
sure that you manage to visit all chiefs’ and other people’s houses for some
feasting and dancing and take care to make your presence felt, lavishing
praises on their wives and children when they take the dance floor will not go
unnoticed. You might be invited to join one of the youth clubs after this.
7.
Remember
that the festival is a time for observing our religious rituals as well as a
time for merry making, feasting, wining, dining and dancing. It is very
important to enjoy yourself.
8.
Plan
how you will use the nine days fruitfully to gain the most from all the
generosity people will be showing. This means make the most of it or you could
miss out on a freebee. The Chiefs normally give out souvenirs like wooden Ise
game boards carved in their images on it; you could also collect some free spending
money they give out as tips or when you get 'showered' during your dance. Be
creative and use your full imagination during the nine days!
Igue Festival Programme of Events.
Day 1: His
Majesty dresses in his ceremonial robes and sits on the royal throne. His High
ranking chiefs led by the Iyase (the Prime Minister) pay homage to him by
dancing with their Eben emblem. The Ubi ritual of wading off evil spirits takes
place. The Oba blesses all the homes in the kingdom through the Ewere. The Oba
and his chiefs pay homage at our ancestral shrines.
Day 2:
Ritual day. The Efas (the blessings priests) sanctify His Majesty with white
chalk on his forehead . His Majesty blesses the sacrificial items. The high
priest the Isekhure cleanses and slaughters the animals in a special ritual.
His Majesty, his chiefs and members of the palace societies are anointed.
Day 3:
Members of the Royal family, the Princes and Princesses dance to honour His
Majesty and the kingdom.
Day 4: Free
day for community celebrations and activities like masquerades, Feasting,
dining and lots of dancing. Groups of friends and family members visit each
other's houses to enjoy the feast each household has prepared. Spend all day in
merriment, feasting and dancing.
Day 5: Free
day for community celebrations and activities like masquerades, Feasting,
dining and lots of dancing. Groups of friends and family members visit each
other's houses to enjoy the feast each household has prepared. Spend all day in
merriment, feasting and dancing. Visit the houses you haven’t yet.
Day 6: Edo
people – the whole community celebrate and visit and dance for the Oba to
honour him.
Day 7: Free
day for community celebrations and activities like masquerades, Feasting,
dining and lots of dancing. Groups of friends and family members visit each
other's houses to enjoy the feast each household has prepared. Spend all day in
merriment, feasting and dancing. Visit the houses you haven’t yet.
Day 8: Free
day for community celebrations and activities like masquraders, Feasting,
dining and lots of dancing. Groups of friends and family members visit each
other's houses to enjoy the feast each household has prepared. Spend all day in
merriment, feasting and dancing. Visit the houses you haven’t yet.
Day 9: Last
day of celebration, by now you should have visited all houses and joined in
their celebration and feasting. Remember no one should be left out, check that
you have seen everyone, we are one unit this festival time; we eat from the
same pot and drink from the same keg. The Enogies (Outskirts rulers) must now
set their own dates for celebrating their festival in the same fashion back in
their domain. These will be around the New Year.
Right, that is how things will run, I hope that I have given
you a good idea of what to expect. I have got to go now, I have my own preparations
to do: I have my hair to braid, my jewellery to make and my make up to produce.
In four days time when the festival gets under way, I will provide
you with a daily guide to events through my twitter page. Check every night
before so you know what is happening. Here is the link:
Princess
Iyomon
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