The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, has called on Nigerians to intensify prayers for peace, unity, and healing in the country as the ancient city of Ile-Ife celebrated the 2025 edition of the Yeyemolu Festival.
Speaking during the colourful celebration at the palace courtyard, the revered monarch described the moment as a period for deep spiritual reflection and national intercession.
“This is a time for deep reflection,” Ooni Ogunwusi said. “We must return to the values that built us—community, truth, sacrifice, and unity. I pray for our dear nation, that peace may reign in all corners of Nigeria.”
The Yeyemolu Festival, held annually in honour of Queen Yeyemolu—the first wife of the first Ooni of Ife—is steeped in spiritual symbolism and traditional reverence.
Yoruba oral tradition holds that Yeyemolu, after being displaced by a new wife and denied the blessing of motherhood, transformed into a sacred well located within the palace—a powerful symbol of purity, sacrifice, and divine presence. Every reigning Ooni is believed to be spiritually wedded to her, preserving an unbroken spiritual lineage.
This year’s celebration attracted thousands of worshippers, traditionalists, cultural enthusiasts, and Yoruba descendants from across Nigeria and the diaspora, many of whom sought spiritual cleansing, fertility blessings, and reconnection with their ancestral roots.
The palace grounds came alive with sacred chants, ritual drumming, and traditional dances performed by priestesses and devotees, creating a rich spiritual atmosphere.
Among the participants was Mrs. Morounkeji Adepoju from Oyo State, who shared a deeply personal testimony.
“I battled barrenness for 10 years. After drinking from the Yeyemolu well, I conceived and gave birth to twins. Coming back here today is my thanksgiving to the goddess who gave me hope,” she said.
She praised the Ooni for preserving the sacred traditions and ensuring that younger generations remained connected to their heritage.
A symbolic highlight of the festival was the procession of young maidens clad in white apparel, each bearing a calabash filled with water drawn from the Yeyemolu well—signifying purity, renewal, and spiritual blessings. Their movement was accompanied by folk hymns celebrating Yeyemolu’s virtues of loyalty, patience, and resilience.
This year’s edition was particularly remarkable for the significant presence of youths and diaspora Yoruba descendants, marking a growing reconnection with cultural identity.
Commending their participation, the Ooni reiterated the importance of heritage as a source of strength and identity.
“Our heritage is our strength. By embracing our past, we empower our future. Festivals like Yeyemolu remind us of who we are—and of the spiritual power that connects us to our ancestors,” he stated.
The 2025 Yeyemolu Festival, beyond its cultural richness, became a platform for collective prayers for national peace, unity, and socio-economic restoration—underscoring the enduring relevance of tradition in contemporary Nigerian society.
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