Why We Organise Annual Mass Wedding — Kwara Community
The Ohoro of Shao in Moro LGA of Kwara, Chief Job Atolagbe, has said that the community's annual mass wedding tradition during the Awon festival is to promote unity and inclusiveness among the indigenes.
Atolagbe, who noted that the wedding model provided an annual rallying point for indigenes, recalled that his mother wedded during the Awon festival.
Delving into the history of the tradition, Atolagbe explained that a hunter in the community in ancient times called Omo Larele often stopped at a stream to drink water anytime he went hunting in the forest.
He said, “As was his tradition, he stopped by the stream to drink water on a particular day and he saw a strange woman seated on the banks of the stream with only one breast.
“History tells us that the woman was a fairy and her name was Awon. She told the hunter that she was the owner of the stream which he normally drank from.”
“She then told the hunter to take her to Oba Olanibo who was the first Ohoro of Shao.
“Awon was taken to Shao and she spent 18 days with the people of Shao. Before she left, she had a meeting with Oba Lanibo and his chiefs.
“When she was set to depart from Shao, she was accompanied by Oba Lanibo, his son and the chiefs of Shao, following a path that Awon chose.”
He further said Awon pledged to protect the community, but stipulated that indigenes should immortalise her through an annual mass wedding for females.
He pointed out that women married through the Awon mass wedding festival must acquire skills and should be of marriageable age, adding that would-be grooms must be employed or engaged in vocations to cater for their spouses.
Atolagbe, therefore, appealed to all tiers of government and NGOs to support and promote the Awon festival.
Also speaking, a community leader, Dr Wole Oke, said, “Our sons and daughters usually return to the community to celebrate the event.” he said.
(NAN)
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Gurei NIPOGA BECE Saliu Shola Taofeek Bankole Omishore Lasiele Alabi Yahaya Kaosarah Adeyi Turaki Ilofa Sherif Shagaya Oluranti Idowu Yekini Adio IsDB Abdulganiyu AbdulAzeez Ahmad Fatima Bisola Share-Tsaragi Sobi Hill Ahman Pategi Gbadeyan Gbadura Yomi Abdul Jimoh Mohammed Valsolar Consultoria James Kolo Taofik Abiodun Ahmed Basic Education Certificate Examination Ayodele Shittu Bello Bature Arandun Chemiroy Nigeria Limited Abubakar Usman Jos AbdulRahman Saad Cornelius Adebayo Olaitan Adefila Aishat Mohammed Lawal Abdulkadri Ahmad Alaiye Idris Amosa Saidu Kwara Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Yahaya Seriki Gambari Ifelodun Muyideen Ajani Bello Abdulmumini AbdulRazaq Ogidi-Oloje Mahmud Ayinla Giwa Christopher Odetunde Sa\'adu Gambari Ahmed Ayinla Jimoh Elections Olushola Saraki Jeunkunu-Malete-Bani Age AbdulKareem Amuda Aluko Kamaldeen Gambari Photo News Lanre Issa-Onilu Aliyu Muyideen Abdul-Rahoof Bello Gamji Members Association Idowu Laro IFK Jawondo Tunji Arosanyin Aremu Bose Deborah Abdulrahman Onikijipa Gbenga Olawepo Markaz Arabic And Islamic Training Institute, Agege Jebba Samuel Elizabeth Keatswa Federal College Of Education (Special), Afon Olatunji Ibrahim Lola Olabayo Senior Special Assistant On Student Affairs MalHub Prince Bola Ajibola Sulyman Age AbdulKareem Yusuf Zulu-Gambari Akande Idowu Ayoola Muhammed College Of Education Vasolar Consultoria

