ABEOKUTA SET TO BE AGOG WITH FESITVALS Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, will be a beehive of amazing cultural activities this week, as the annual Lisabi Day celebration will be held in the town. The week-long event, which will be the 24th in the series, is usually held by the Egba people in remembrance of Lisabi Agbongbo Akala. Lisabi, an Egba warrior, is venerated for his heroic exploits during those turbulent days of inter-tribal wars and he is thus identified by all Egba people as the strength of their togetherness.
It was Lisabi that freed the Egba people from oppressive hegemony visited on them by the Alaafin of Oyo and his Ilari (representatives) in the 18th Century when all of Egbaland was controlled by the Alaafin through his Ilari.
History has it that Lisabi was so passionate about the freedom and independence of Egba that he did not marry till he died----- by disappearing into the ground in Lisabi Forest at Oba in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state. The celebration is essentially to show appreciation to this great warrior and other heroes that preserved Egbaland during those turbulent years. During the period too, the most outstanding defence mechanisms used by the warriors was Olumo Rock, which served as a shield and refuge for them, as the rock provided sanctuary for the people as well as a vantage point to monitor the enemy's advance, leading to eventual triumph in wars.
Olumo Rock, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nigeria, sits in the ancient city centre of Abeokuta. It is a massive outcrop of granite rock of unique formation measuring about 137m above the sea level. In fact, Abeokuta derived its name from the rock-as 'Abe' means 'under'; and 'Okuta' means 'rock' to form Abeokuta, meaning the 'city under the rock'.
One of the high points of the Lisabi Day celebration will be the visit to the rock by the paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, and his chiefs. At the summit of the rock, the Oba and his entourage, as a practice, pays homage to the dead warriors of Egbaland, who are regarded as the founding fathers, and also offered prayer for peace, progress and development of Egbaland and Ogun State in general.
Unlike in the past a 'journey' to the rock's summit is now made easier with the modern elevator constructed at the site by the Ogun State government as well as an iron-caste staircase artistically cast in the rock. As a matter of fact, new renovations completed early 2006 included the upgrading of the infrastructure at the site. These include a new museum, restaurants and water fountain.
And given the significance of the Lisabi and the heritage of Olumo Rock, the event is one that not only represents Egba's symbol of unity but also showcases the rich cultural heritage of the people as epitomised by the avalanche of cultural artifacts of extremely aesthetic formations and immense values that were on display while the event lasted.
From the traditional dancers with their sparkling and at times awesome costumes, to drama groups with their dazzling apparels and acrobats doing what they know best with cultural spirit and zeal it requires, the whole base of the rock where the festival will hold will be culturally illuminated so much that the scorching sun will have no effect. Among the traditional groups expected to add colour to the event included Orisa Olomolu (goddess of fertility), Iguniko, Erinle, Gelede and a host of others.
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