Oranfe in the Yoruba panthology is the deity responsible for Fire, Lightning and Thunderstrikes. It is a renowned Yoruba god known for justice, rebellion and humanitarian dispositions. Oranfe is said to be the oldest deified god in the Yoruba religious system. Also known as Sango, the deity is, according to the Yoruba oral historical account, one of the first mortals to grace the earth surface.
Oranfe which literally means 'Owner of the Abode of Fire' was said to have been sent into the earth by Olodumare, the supreme being to serve as a pathfinder for Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race.
The 2021 edition of the Oranfe Festival in Ile-Ife was epic. Held between 28th of September and 5th of October, 2021, the Festival, as tradition demands, began with a community cleansing of the Ile-Ife cosmopoly, staged in a colourful customary traditional procession led by His Ancestral Majesty, The Oranfe Onile Ina, Oba Abiodun Oraroritimi Mulatto, Osangangan I, the Obaluru of Ife.
The Festival traditional processions and curtain raiser rites climaxed on the 4th of October with the Festival Eve known as the Ojo Iwole Orisa (Itonini) which marked one of the two major days of the annual cultural celebration as the Oranfe Onile Ina, His Ancestral Majesty, the Obaluru of Ife, Custodian and Reincarnate of the fiery deity led a procession of deities from the ancestral Obaluru home at moore to offer supplications at some sacred destinations in the ancient city.
The first place to check in was the Ile Oòduà , palace of His Imperial Majesty, the Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife. Here, the Oranfe Onile Ina prayed for the Ooni to live long on the throne while supplications were offered for peace, unity and prosperity in Ile-Ife and the entire Yorubaland.
Prayers were thereafter offered at the shrine of the goddess of riches, wealth and market profitability, the Aje goddess while the ancestral base of Kinsin, the water goddess and last consort of the Oranfe deity also welcomed the procession in the performance of certain traditiotial rites before finally proceeding to the home of the ancient deity.
The Festival grand finale known as the Ojo Odun Ode Oranfe was held on Tuesday, 5th October, 2021 amidst colourful cultural displays, celebrations and funfair.
Congratulations to the entire Omo Oranfe nile ati loko, Ile-Ife and the entire Yoruba race on the success of this year's festival.
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