The Socio-Spiritual Relevance of the Obanta Festival to the Development of Ijebu-Ode and Neighbouring Communities in Nigeria

Abstract

Festivals are commemorative events set aside by members of a community for the observance of sacred beliefs, religious solemnities, musical and traditional performance of social existence and cultural prowess. In this light, this paper examined the richness of Ijebu culture and belief in the celebration of deities. The study documents one of the popular festivals (Obanta festival) celebrated in Ijebu-Ode; examined the reasons for the celebration of the festival and the sociospiritual implications of the festival on Ijebu-Ode and neighbouring communities. Durkheim’s functionalism and structuralist theories of Malinowski as well as symbolic interactionism were utilized in explaining the role of festivals in the society. The study adopted primary and secondary data. The findings revealed that the celebration of deities and legends is still upheld largely in Ijebu-Ode; several festivals are held to revere the ancestors and deities of Ijebu-Ode but Obanta festival is celebrated for cultural maintenance purposes; and the socio-spiritual implication of the Obanta festival is to appease to the spirit of Obanta not to depart from the life, health and endeavours of the residents and indigenes of Ijebu-Ode. The study concluded that despite the presence and adoption of new forms of religion, certain traditional aspects of Ijebu- Ode culture are still upheld as being socio-spiritually relevant to maintain the continuity of the society and guarantee the physical and social development of Ijebu-Ode and its neighbouring communities.