Lagos community warns females to stay indoors on May 16 as it performs its Oro festival

The Ayangburen Palace in Ikorodu community has warned women to stay indoors during its annual traditional ‘Oro’ festival scheduled for May 16, 2024, daytime and nighttime.

Punch reports that in a letter issued by the Ayangburen Palace and signed by the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotob and addressed to the Medical Director of the Ikorodu General Hospital, females in the community were warned to stay indoors during the festival.

The letter, titled ‘Notification of Magbo (Oro) Festival 2024,’ read;

“This is to notify you of the above festival, which is slated for Thursday, May 16, 2024. According to tradition, all females are advised to remain in their respective homes and avoid moving around the town during the Oro festival.

Please note that your organization is affected by falling within the Oro traditional jurisdictions. You are hereby advised to adhere to the traditions of the town.”

The Oro festival among others, is a prominent festival in the Yoruba tradition. It’s celebrated by male descendants and usually characterized by a daytime procession and high-pitched sounds in some areas or across the community as the case may be. It’s believed that females mustn’t be present during the ritual rites of the festival.