oyindamola Ogunbowale
Yoruba traditional worshippers and culture enthusiasts across Nigeria are marking Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day today, Thursday, August 20, with colourful celebrations, traditional prayers, cultural displays and festivities taking place across the South-West.
The annual celebration, which shines a spotlight on Yoruba traditional religion, customs and indigenous heritage, has taken on added significance this year, with Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun states declaring today a work free day or public holiday to enable residents to participate in the activities.
In Lagos, the state government said more than three million people are expected to participate in this year’s celebration, which will feature traditional prayers, rituals, processions, drumming and cultural displays dedicated to the Òrìṣà.
For many celebrants, however, Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day is about much more than colourful outfits, drums and festivities.
It is an opportunity to reconnect with Yoruba traditions, honour indigenous beliefs and preserve cultural practices passed down from one generation to another.
The streets are expected to come alive with people dressed in vibrant traditional attire, while traditional worshippers gather at various locations for prayers and other activities marking the occasion.
In Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde declared Thursday a work-free day and felicitated traditional worshippers, describing the occasion as an opportunity to celebrate the state’s rich cultural heritage while promoting religious inclusivity.
Ogun State also declared August 20 a public holiday, encouraging residents to use the occasion to celebrate and preserve Yoruba culture, traditions and values.
Beyond the South West, the celebration has continued to generate conversations online, with Nigerians sharing photos, videos and messages celebrating indigenous culture and debating the place of traditional beliefs in modern society.
As drums roll and traditional prayers rise across communities, this year’s Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day is once again putting Yoruba culture in the spotlight, a reminder that a heritage passed down through generations continues to find expression in the present day.
