Two years after reviving the Epa Festival following a 40-years abandonment, Omuo-Ekiti in Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State is consolidating the cultural celebration as a major tourism attraction and economic driver for the community.
The Chairman of Ekiti East Local Government, Mr. Oluwasegun Ojo, said the festival, which was last celebrated in 1982 before its revival in 2024, had continued to generate excitement among residents and indigenes in the diaspora.
Ojo, who is also the Ekiti State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and National Treasurer of the association, said the decision to bring back the festival followed persistent calls from residents, particularly youths, who wanted to reconnect with the cultural heritage of their community.
He said the revival required the involvement of elders, who helped younger members understand and preserve the traditional practices associated with the festival.
Ojo described the revival as a “cultural renaissance”, saying the organisers were now focused on transforming the festival into an event capable of attracting tourists and stimulating economic activities in Omuo-Ekiti.
“For us, it was a kind of cultural renaissance,” he said, adding that the festival traditionally created a period of increased economic activity through food, trading and other businesses.
According to him, the 2024 edition recorded significant economic benefits, with hotels fully booked throughout the seven-day celebration and vendors, buyers and sellers benefiting from the influx of visitors.
“All hotels were booked for the seven days. It is an event that is celebrated for seven days. Vendors were coming in and going out, buyers selling,” he said.
He said the festival would again run for seven days this year, with different activities scheduled for each day, while the third day would serve as one of the major highlights because of special masquerade performances and changes in their traditional dancing patterns.
Ojo said the organisers were also targeting indigenes living abroad, noting that people from the United States and Europe had shown interest in returning home for the festival.
He disclosed that a committee had been established in the Americas to coordinate the participation of Omuo-Ekiti indigenes in the diaspora.
The chairman said the festival would offer visitors an opportunity to experience “pure culture” through masquerades, traditional chants, oriki and other indigenous performances.
He said nine major masquerades from different ruling houses would feature prominently in the celebration, alongside other traditional activities.
Ojo who is also the Asolo of Omuo-Ekiti, said the priority of people of the town was to develop the festival beyond its cultural significance and position Omuo-Ekiti as a tourism destination.
In furtherance of that objective, the organisers registered the festival with the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, a move expected to improve its visibility, coordination and inclusion in the state’s tourism calendar.
The Director-General of the Bureau, Mr. Wale Ojo-Lanre, said the registration would enable the state government to properly document and promote the festival while supporting organisers with coordination, branding and visibility.
Ojo-Lanre said the Governor Biodun Oyebanji administration understood the economic value of cultural festivals and other tourism activities, stressing that attracting visitors to the state would generate income for businesses and residents.
“He understands the tourism economy of this society. He believes that by encouraging festivals, cultural shows, carnival and all other social activities that will lure people to Ekiti, the more people come to Ekiti, the more money comes. It is about value-sharing,” he said.
The DG identified improved infrastructure, security, the Ekiti State International Cargo Airport, tourism policy and master plan, and the establishment of the Bureau of Tourism Development among measures supporting the state’s tourism drive.
Traditional custodians of the festival also reaffirmed their commitment to preserving its cultural and spiritual heritage.
The Eye Olori-eru of Omuo-Ekiti and major custodian of the Ikoko-orisa Festival, Chief(Mrs.) Titilayo Aladesanmi, said the Ikoko-orisa celebration would precede the Ekpa Festival.
She said she would carry the sacred Ikoko(pot) from the house to Odo-Ile and back as part of the spiritual rites, adding that Ojise Irunmole, described as messengers of the gods, would be present for the ceremony.
The Saroku of Omuo-Ekiti, Chief Johnson Adepoju said three masquerades under his family would participate throughout the seven-day celebration, while the Olori Agbole-Oloka from Ilisa-Omuo, Chief Akinlolu Adedoyin, said nine masquerades from different families would feature.
With the festival now firmly back on the community’s cultural calendar, the organisers said their goal was to build on its renewed popularity and make Epa a major attraction for tourists, indigenes in the diaspora and visitors seeking to experience the cultural heritage of Omuo-Ekiti.