By Roundoffnews
Ekiti State Government says the Poroye Masquerade Festival of Ijan Ekiti, Gbonyin Local Government area and those in other towns, were viable economic potentials, if propelled to national status like Osun Osogbo, Argugun fishing festival, Ojude Oba, Udiroko, among others.
The Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism in Ekiti State, Prof. Rasaq Ojo Bakare while speaking in Ijan Ekiti revealed that the state has over 145 viable festivals that can earn national recognition and rejuvenates its economy if well promoted and given the right exposure .
To this end, the State government and International Council For Ifa Religion(ICFIR) have partnered the people of Ijan Ekiti, to celebrate Poroye Festival with intention to propel it to the national and international levels .
The Commissioner, represented by the Director of Tourism in the Ministry, Prince Banji Adelusi, spoke in Ijan Ekiti, on Wednesday, during the Egungun Festival Pilgrimage 2022 marking the annual ‘Poroye Masquerade festival’.
Bakare said several initiatives like Ekiti State Festival of Arts and Culture, were invented by Governor Kayode Fayemi’s government to bring Ekiti’s potentials to the front burner and make the state a tourism destination.
“The goverment is encouraging communities to start celebrating because of the economic potentials inherent in tourism. Our collaboration with ICFIR will help in promoting many festivals, particularly Poroye that stands for Yoruba History.
“Ekiti is so rich in culture and Arts, We have a lot of products. Investments in tourism can turn around our economy. Ifa, Orisa and Egungun pilgrimages are full of economic gains.
“As of now, Ekiti has 145 cultural festivals, but only a few of them had been of national status. We can achieve more if we try to demystify the myth, reduce insecurity and incidences of thuggery during festivities”.
Speaking on the significance of Poroye Festival, the ICFIR President, Dr Solagbade Popoola, who led a large number of Ifa devotees to the town, posited that the festival was unique and pivotal because it represents historical fact in Yoruba land.
Popoola assured that the festival would gain national traction if proper investment is made to develop it, promising that this will be done in due course.
“Poroye and Egungun Ire are the first set of masquerades in Yoruba land . They are documented as historical fact in the encyclopaedia of the Yoruba people, which is the Odu Ifa . We only came here today to confirm the authenticity and reawaken history”.
Relaying the history of how Poroye emerged, the Olufon of Ijan Ekiti, Chief James Dada, said : “Poroye was a beautiful queen that helped Orunmila, the father Ifa divination . They later consummated and gave birth to Olomo that is today referred to as Egungun Ire in Ijan Ekiti. .
“The Ifa divinators encountered this history through Odu Ifa and realised that the two powerful individuals had their roots here in Ijan Ekiti.
“What we intend to do with Poroye Festival is to turn the groove to this tourist destination or pilgrimage that can boost local and Ekiti’s economies like we have in Osun Osogbo, Ojude Oba in Ijebu, Eyo in Lagos and Udiroko in Ado Ekiti”.
Chief Dada revealed that the masquerade was last seen in the public glare in 1942, saying it is now being kept in the groove where devotees and tourists made spiritual consultations over whatever affliction they are suffering.
A Museum and Cultural Heritage Expert, Mr. Olakunle Makinde, said the myth and mystery behind Poroye had been that it has the power for prosperity, protection and granting of children to the barrens if prayers are offered in its groove.
“This kind of powerful traditional heritage bestowed into is shouldn’t go into extinction. We will like a situation whereby Poroye will come to limelight.
“The present and incoming administrations must look at the masquerading festivals around Ekiti and celebrate them. We also have some tourist centres that can be developed, but the Egungun festivals will pull more and better crowd, bring sense of unity and improve the economy”.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Gbonyin Local Government area of Ekiti State, Mr. Dare Ajayi, said Governor Fayemi had invested in Arts ,Culture and Tourism in the last few years.
The LG boss, said government is also promoting traditional festivals and ventures through the annual EKIFEST, that gulps millions of naira annually.
“Tradition and Culture are two most important identities of any human being and these are being protected by the current government in Ekiti to give the people the right identities, unify them and improve local economy”.