By Amidst the the whole news in recent times about controversial Ikorodu, the ancient town held its Oro festival on Saturday.
The “Magboo Oro” festival was staged in Ikorodu central even as reactions have continued to trail the development as curfew was imposed on residents, especially women and visitors.
Just like Ojude Oba, indigenes of Ikorodu trooped into the town in their numbers from different parts of the State and abroad. The celebration which started since Friday night before Oro paraded the town at midnight to pray and cleanse the town climaxed at 10pm yesterday.
Oro Festival is an event celebrated by towns and settlements of Yoruba Origin. It is an annual traditional festival that is of patriarchal nature, as it is only celebrated by Male descendants who are paternal natives to the specific locations where the particular event is taking place.
During this festival, all females and non indigenes stay indoors. Oro must not be seen by women especially according to its history.
Just like most of Oro festivals held in Ikorodu, it was a very peaceful one. And because of Ramadan, Liwe the next Oro which should originally take place two weeks after Magbo Oro would be held after the Muslims fasting period.
While many have argued that the town ought to have developed past the stage of restricting movements and businesses for a group to celebrate a traditional festival, others say it is a tradition that must be obeyed and respected.
