Offa is a Local Government Area in Kwara State, Nigeria. Ijakadi Offa is a cultural festival that was dated back to the 14th century. It’s celebrated on every December in Offa. This festival came into being around 1498 AD during the Moremi festival. Moremi was an Offa woman who became the queen of Oranmiyan in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Moremi single handedly rescued the Ife people from their enemies.
Also, IJAKADI is a mock wrestling bout between the Olofa (the king) and the Essa (his second in command) while the whole town cheer.
Hence, the popular saying “Ijakadi Loro Offa”, a Yoruba meaning “ wrestling is an Offa game”. The symbolic winning of the bout by the Oloffa is an always reminder of his indisputable authority of the town while the Essa would always give excuses for his loss. All his excuses elicited the thunderous shouting of “kabiyesio” from the crowd hailing the Oloffa (the king).
Next, the festival takes place in December and is the convergence point for the indigenes of Offa from all walks of life and coincides with the eating of new yam. It’s characterized by cutting the yam into two halves that is known as “la’are” in Yoruba.
Equally important, it’s a festival that reinforces a tradition that abhors laziness and docility. Rather it promotes strength and determination. It show case a culture that project equality among the Offa indigines and between Olofa of Offa and his subjects.
What’s more, other activities features during the festival are food expo that show case different dishes of sweet potatoes known as “Anamon” in Yoruba language. Sweet potatoes is Offa main food crop. Traditional wrestling is also part of it. There were displays by several cultural groups, paying of homage by district heads to the Olofa, as well as the presentation of trophies together with cash awards to the participating districts.
As we have observed, “Ijakadi” is an annual cultural and traditional wrestling competition popularly known as the Ijakadi festival of the people of Offa town in the Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. This festival is aimed at promoting fairness, Justice and equity among sons and daughters of the ancient town.
