Iganmode Cultural Festival
Odun omo Iganmode Cultural Festival is an ancient festival celebrated annually in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. It is one of the most popular festivals in Yoruba land and is celebrated by the Awori people of Yoruba descent. Olofin Apesin Olode, Olota and Ruler of the Paramount & Ancient Ottaland, Awori Kingdom, His Majesty, Oba Professor Adeyemi Abdukabir Obalanlege (Lanlege Ekun II, Arole Iganmode) describes the festival as a cultural extravaganza that reminds the Awori people of their distinct origin as a people.
The Yoruba word 'Iganmode' refers to the Father of the Aworis. The Omo Iganmode Festival is a cultural festival in the calendar of the Ota, Ogun State which is located in the Southwestern part of Nigeria. Formerly known as ‘Odun Otta’ before it was metamorphosed to ‘Iganmode Day’ and today tagged as ‘Omo Iganmode Cultural Festival’ dates back over three decades bringing Otta indigenes home from neighbouring towns and villages. With the number of towns and villages associated with the Kingdom increasing, the need to further build synergy among Iganmode descendants across the country and abroad has become urgent.
Tracing the record back to what we called ‘Iganmode Day', the 2023 edition would be the 31st edition with the theme ‘Ottaland: The Cradle of Awori Civilization’. The festival with the earliest name 'Odun Otta' dates back to 1931.
The uniqueness of the annual cultural festival is the promotion and exhibition of the exquisite culture and tradition of the Awori people and an avenue to appease the ancestors for continuous growth, guidance, development, stability, peace and tranquillity. The festival exhibits the Education, Commerce (Aje), Ifalogy, Early Migration, and Religion of the Awori people.