IWO FESTIVAL: The Myth and the Challenges. ' Kunle Akingbulu. INTRODUCTION Each tribe in Nigeria and indeed in Yorubaland has its own observable festivals. Ikaleland is not an exception. Several traditional festivals are celebrated at some specific time, for specific purposes. Such festivals are Iwo festival, Ojoye-J'usu festival, Eje festival, Ere/Okute festival, Ogun festival, Eta'dun festival etc. Iwo festival has been in existence for hundreds of years. The genesis or the historical background of Iwo festival cannot easily be traced since it is an age-long festival. It is a festival that's being celebrated to appease the gods and goddesses or the spirits of the rivers. It is also a festival in which everybody believes that the gods and goddesses or spirits of the rivers around the geographical area where the festival is being celebrated will come out to the town. THE TOWNS AND PEOPLE THAT CELEBRATE THE FESTIVAL Iwo festival is very unique in nature. According to o

BRIEF HISTORY OF ODE-AYE Ode-Aye is a town located on the northern area of Ikale land in Okitipupa local government of Ondo State, Southwest of Nigeria. Ode-Aye is on latitude 6.59°N of the Equator and 4.74°E of the Greenwich. The population of Ode-Aye is estimated at about 33,000 People. The town is inhabited by different tribes from Nigeria. These are: Ikales, Urhobos, Isokos, Ilajes, Ibos, Hausas, Efiks, Ibibios, Yorubas, Deltans and Edos. The original ancestor of Ode-Aye people was named Danikin (which is pronounced Daniken in the local dialect) who is the son of Ooni of Ife. History relates that Danikin migrated from Ile- Ife to Benin during the time of Oba Osoluwa, father of Oba Esigie of Benin and grandfather of the 1st Abodi (Jabado) of the Ikales. Soon after Danikin’s arrival at Benin, Oba Osoluwa sent him with an army to conquer the people of Iyodo who were causing trouble at that time and the expedition was successful. The Oba Osoluwa then rewarded Danikin with chieftaincy t