The spiritual heartbeat of the Yoruba people, Ile-Ife, came alive in vibrant splendour on Sunday as it hosted the 2025 edition of the Alaragbo Festival—a sacred convergence of culture, spirituality, and ancestral homage.
Presided over by the revered Arole Oduduwa, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, the annual festival drew hundreds of devotees, traditionalists, tourists, and cultural enthusiasts from across Nigeria and the diaspora.
This year’s celebration, held under the spiritual banner of the World Alaragbo ElereOmo Spiritual Network, transformed the ancient city into a hub of rhythmic drumming, vibrant attire, and reverent rituals—a true reflection of Yoruba spiritual heritage.
The festivities began with the arrival of traditional worshippers and cultural stakeholders, whose presence added colour and spiritual energy to the city. Activities spread across Enuwa and adjoining communities included musical concerts, spoken word poetry, and traditional games, with the classic Ayo Olopon taking centre stage.
Ile-Ife’s atmosphere pulsed with ancestral energy, as chants, drumbeats, and spiritual songs echoed across the sacred city.
The high point of the festival was the sacred procession to the Egbe ElereOmo Grove, where rituals central to the Alaragbo tradition were performed.
Leading the revered rites on behalf of the Ooni was his queen, Olori Ashley Afolasade Ogunwusi, popularly known as Yeye Omi Oduduwa. Clad in resplendent traditional attire and flanked by chief priestesses, drummers, and carriers of ritual items, Olori Ashley carried out the ancient rites with solemnity and regal grace.
The rituals, believed to renew spiritual covenants and invite divine blessings upon the land, were conducted in accordance with age-old customs passed down through generations of priesthood.
Upon return to the Ile Oodua Palace, the celebration continued with colourful cultural displays, chants, traditional dances, and exhibitions showcasing the depth of Yoruba heritage.
Speaking on behalf of the Ooni, Olori Ashley underscored the significance of the festival as a spiritual reaffirmation of Yoruba identity and values.
“The Alaragbo Festival goes beyond mere ritual—it's a profound spiritual reconnection with our ancestral roots,” she said. “I urge our sons and daughters to honour these traditions and uphold them with pride, dignity, and a sense of purpose.”
She further called on the youth to resist the erosion of indigenous culture in the face of globalisation, stressing the importance of cultural self-awareness.
Also addressing the gathering, Yeye Alaraagbo Oodua, Omo’ba Yeye Abiye Osunbunmi Ifasemilore, commended the Ooni for his unwavering commitment to preserving and projecting Yoruba spirituality. She urged traditionalists to remain steadfast in their faith and proud of their ancestral heritage.
“Our heritage is divine,” she noted. “It speaks to who we are and where we are going. Let no one be ashamed of the covenant we share with our ancestors.”
The festival, she added, surpassed all expectations in terms of organisation, participation, and cultural expression.
Among the participants was Mr. Segun Fadahunsi, a devotee from Lagos, who described the experience as “spiritually fulfilling and culturally uplifting.”
“Each year I return here stronger in spirit and more connected to my Yoruba identity,” he said.
A visiting spiritual enthusiast from India, Priya Desai, who identifies as a practitioner of African Traditional Religion, expressed awe at the profound connection between the people, nature, and divinity.
“The sacredness of what I witnessed here is beyond words. This culture is powerful, deeply spiritual, and immensely respectful of nature and the ancestors,” she shared.
The 2025 Alaragbo Festival not only reinforced Ile-Ife’s central place in Yoruba spirituality but also highlighted the enduring relevance of traditional faith and identity in a modern world.
As participants returned to their various destinations, the message resonated clearly: the spiritual heartbeat of the Yoruba people continues to echo strongly through the corridors of time, tradition, and collective memory.