‘Why Oba Agunkeloye Brought Masquerade To Omu-Aran’

The people of Aafin Quarters in Irepodun local government area of Kwara State have clarified that Oba Agunkeloye of their ancestral lineage genuinely brought masquerade to Omu-Aran and not through any act of betrayal or conspiracy of any kind.

The clarification was made by Chief Yahaya Balogun, the Aromun of Omu-Aran and Chief Burahimo Awoniyi, the Elemeso of Aafin while speaking on the history of masquerade festivals and worship in Omu-Aran.

Balogun said the clarifications became necessary following a recent report which stated that masquerade worship came into existence in Omu-Aran through betrayal and conspiracy.

The Arogun of Omu-Aran described the said report as a misconception and misrepresentation of facts and distortion of history.

Balogun said Oba Agunkeloye was the first crowned Oba in Omu-Aran to come from Oyo Alaafin from where the community took its source.

He said, although there were earlier Obas in other quarters like Raba, Ora but they were not crowned Obas.

“The egungun that accompanied Oba Agunkeloye as the first crowned Oba to Omu-Aran from Oyo Alaafin was a mark of honour and recognition for him and was genuinely done not through betrayal or conspiracy.

“It was through the ascension of Oba Agunkeloye as the first crowned Oba accompanied by Egungun in Omu-Aran that Egungun worship spread and became prominent among the people as a deity  and being worship and celebrated till today.

“According to the custom in the ancient Yoruba kingdom, whoever wants to be king will go to Oyo to be crowned to possess the authority to rule.

“The same is applicable to Oba Agunkeloye and after he was crowned egungun was instituted by the Alaafin to follow him down to Omu-Aran,” Balogun said.