Yesterday 26th November 2011, residents around Obalende area of Lagos state were seen walking bare foot. You might be wondering why. The Eyo festival people.
At this point is important to state some of the do not's of the Eyo and they include no footwear, no caps/headgears, no ‘suko’ (piled un-top of the head) hair styles, no umbrellas, no smoking, no motorcycle/bicycle and definitely no chewing sticks.
Guests were thrilled with music from Fatai Rolling Doller and his group the Faji Agba group.
This age long traditional event that was marked at the Tafa Balewa square in Lagos state had several dignitaries in attendance some of which were Professor Wole Soyinka, the first military Governor of Lagos State, Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson, members of the State Executive counsel , members of Lagos State house of assembly, the Executive Governor of Lagos state Babatunde Raji fashola and his father.
History has it that Orisa Oniko and Ologede were first brought to Lagos, because they were reputed to have spiritual powers capable of driving away all evil spirit and forces on their way. Adamu Orisa was the last to be brought to Lagos but was regarded as been more sacred than the other Orisas and the eldest.
The Adamu Orisa play continued in Lagos after its establishment with the three Orisas and as the only set of masquerades. In other to protect the Orisas and control the Surging crowds the idea of EYO in white flowing Agbada was conceived with the approval of the Oba of Lagos, six were allocated to each of the Orisas for their security.
Eyo Laba group thus became the head of all Eyo groups and chief police led by Ikolaba i.e “the carrier of Laba” a bag containing mystical powers.
Today we have five Eyo orisa groups namely Eyo Adimu, Eyo Laba, Eyo Oniko, Eyo Ologede, Eyo Agere, (orisa Ogere is a latter addition to the Adamu Orisa play. Till date excluding the Orisas, Eyo Laba remains the head of all Eyo groups and the official Eyo of the reigning Oba of Lagos.
The event ended at about 4:30 pm but the Eyo group was still found parading around the arena and prosecuting those who went against their rules.
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