As part of activities for this year’s edition of Olojo Festival in Ile Ife, Osun State, plans are in advance stage for the first edition of Ankara Day, organised by the office of the Sooko Moropo, Princess Titilade Adewuyi-Ijiwole. The one-day event the organisers say, will feature, music, comedy, games, dance and lots more.
According to the brain behind the event, Princess Adewuyi-Ijiwole (Sooko Moropo, Yeye Giesi of the Source), the main purpose of the Ankara Day is to celebrate the rich Yoruba cultural heritage through fashion and lifestyle. The businesswoman also said that the event is designed to add glamour to the Olojo Festival, one of the major festivals celebrated annually in Ile-Ife by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II. She further stated that the event will also create a platform for fashion designers, ankara fabric vendors, ankara accessory makers, beads makers, shoemakers and a host of others, to showcase their products and services to thousands of guests who are expected at the event.
Although ankara, one of the most used African print fabrics did not originate from Nigeria, it is adored by women and men in every region of the country. Widely used by the Yoruba of South West Nigeria during occasions like house warming, naming ceremony, burial political rallies and religious events, it will also feature at the Olojo Festival.
The culture festival is in the calendar of the Ile-Ife, Osun State, located in the Southwestern part of Nigeria. It is the celebration of the remembrance of “Ogun”, god of Iron, who is believed to be the first son of Oduduwa, progenitor of the Yoruba people. The festival is held annually in October.
Ankara Day is slated for September 28, 2018 at the Enuowa Palace, Ile-Ife, Osun State beginning from 10am.