The traditional ruler of the Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Saheed Ademola (Kusenla III), has declared a three-day Oro rite on non-indigenes and women from midnight to 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday to Friday.
Speaking on the Oro rite, the monarch said the March 2023 Oro festival would not affect the governorship elections slated to be held on Saturday, March 18, 2023.
Speaking with our PUNCH through his media aide, Temitope Oyefeso, the monarch said, “The restriction of movement for the Oro rites in Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Eti-Osa is from Wednesday to Friday, Election Day is not included.
This clarification is necessary for those peddling falsehood as to the motive for the rites. The peace and progress of our land is the responsibility of all of us and we must be alive to this responsibility.”
Recall that Orò Festival is an event celebrated by towns and settlements of Yoruba origin.
It is an annual traditional festival that is of patriarchal nature, as it is only celebrated by male descendants who are paternal natives of the specific locations where the particular event is taking place.
During the festival, females and non-natives stay indoors as oral history has it that Orò must not be seen by women and non-participating people.
