Humanistic Visions in Ekiti Cultural Festivals: An exploration of Olua festival in Osi-Ekiti community

Abstract

Cultural Festivals all over the world are recognized as identity signatures of the people to which the festivals belong. As an intangible aspect of the people’s cultural heritage, cultural festivals depict the norms, belief systems, myths, legends, and traditions of the people. As such, to grasp a people’s worldview and humanistic visions, a study of such people’s cultural festivals is imperative. The Olua cultural festival of the Osi-Ekiti community in Ido-Osi Local government area of Ekiti State provides rich repertory of the cultural heritage of Ekiti people, and their humanistic visions in particular. This study explored the humanistic visions of the Ekiti people through the prism of the primordial Olua cultural festivals of Osi-Ekiti people. The study was achieved through a combination of interviews and participant observation research tools of qualitative method. Findings included comments by devotees and participants that Olua festival promotes unity, progress and cohesion among the people and their neighbours, provides spiritual harmony between the living and the dead thereby guaranteeing healing, breakthrough, spiritual protection and fulfillment for the adherents. A promotion and preservation of Olua festival and its likes across the state through grants by corporate bodies and government’s support are recommended to promote unity, progress and development in the state.