Awori Community celebrates Sofare festival in grand style

Chief Adesegun Osuntoye, Alase Awori

The grand finale of the annual Sofare festival was held at Awori Village, Ago-Iwoye, on Sunday, 21st August, 2022, Great Achiever Magazine reports.

According to the Alase of Awori, Chief Adesegun Osuntoye, the Sofare festival is a period when indigenes of various villages that make up Awori, who are descendants of Sooja, gather together at Awori Luborogi, where they perform traditional rites to appease their ancestors and also offer prayers in appreciation of high yields of their farm produce.

Chief Bosun Sipe, Baale Abapaanu Moborode

Chief Osuntoye said Sofare festival period is also used to pray for banishment of evil occurrences in their community, while those who are looking for the fruit of the womb, successes in their businesses, good health and other good things of life are prayed for.

He said Sofare festival is a week long event, during which the elders in the village go round the various farms to collect levies and dues from the farmers.

Chief Segun Ogunsaanu, Baale Luborogi

Great Achiever Magazine reports that the highpoint of this year's festival was the beating of the Traditional Gbedu Drum early in the morning to herald activities of the grand finale, while prayers were offered.

In the evening, Alase of Awori danced to the Gbedu Drum along with other Traditional Heads (Baales) from the various Awori Villages.

Alase Awori (in white cloth) during the traditional dance

The Traditional Head (Baale) of Abapaanu Moborode Village, Chief Bosun Sipe, while speaking with Great Achiever Magazine, said,  Sofare festival is an avenue to bring together all sons and daughters of Awori Villages as well as  their friends and well wishers for reunion and merry making.

Chief Femi Odugbesan beating the Gbedu Drum, while Alhaji Kasali and others are dancing

Chief Sipe disclosed that Sofare festival affords indigenes of Awori the opportunity of discussing the challenges facing the villages and finding solutions to them.

Awori Village women and children at the occasion.
He appealed to indigenes of Awori Villages at home and in the Diaspora to find time to come home, particularly during the Sofare festival to contribute their quota to the development of Awori.

L-R: Baale Bosun Sipe, Alase Awori, Yomi Odumuyiwa

Some of the dignitaries that attended the event include: Liwo Awori, A.O Ejalonibu, Baale Luborogi, Chief Tunde Ogunsaanu, Chairman, Orubo Awori, Chief Femi Odugbesan (Seven Seven), Olootu Ebi Awori, Alhaji Kasali, Olori Ilu Sooja Awori, Chief Biodun Soneye, Akoni Oran, Chief Yekini Bello, Hon Mobolaji Martins Kuye, Mr. Bola Lomeru (Bolaprints), Acting Chairman of ACDC, Prince Segun Kaka, Mr. Yomi Odumuyiwa.