All is now set for the Gelede Festival of the Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom in the Yaba Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, reports TheGazelleNews.com
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, 20 November, 2024, at his palace, the Onisabe of Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Owolabi Adeyemi Adeniyi, stated that the event will rekindle and reawaken the cultural development of the kingdom and its environs.
“Gelede is an age-long traditional festival which belongs to the Sabe people and we intend to sustain this festival and make it one of the celebrated ones in Nigeria and Africa,” the respected Monarch said.
According to him, the festival has almost become moribund but he resuscitated it two years ago. “It was meant to be an annual event but we couldn’t celebrate the festival last year because of the celebrations of my 10th year coronation anniversary,” he said.
Oba Adeniyi stated that the festival which originated from Ketu in present day Republic of Benin is celebrated to appease the gods and pray for peace and development of the community.
According to the Monarch, the event for this year will spread over three days. On Wednesday, 27 November, 2024, there will be traditional games competition involving Ayo olopon, ludo and draught games. On Thursday, 28 November, 2024, there will be Efe night while the grand finale will take place on Friday, 29 November, 2024 which will involve Gelede teams from other communities in the state will have their traditional dance.
Expected to participate in this dance are Gelede teams from Mulero, Isheri Login and Lagos Island among others.
