Oriontimes Newsroom | November 2, 2026
KUTA, OSUN STATE – The ancient town of Kuta came alive on Saturday as residents, indigenes and visitors from different parts of the country converged on the community for the 2026 Egungun Festival, celebrated as part of the annual Odun Isese festivities.
The celebration featured colourful displays, traditional performances and cultural exhibitions by masquerades representing different compounds and quarters of the town, attracting enthusiastic participation from both young and elderly residents.
This year's edition was particularly remarkable, with the traditional ruler of Kuta, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Hameed Adekunle Makama Oyelude, Tegbosun III, the Olowu of Kuta, CON, deploying considerable resources and support to ensure a memorable celebration.
Speaking during the festivities, Honourable Ajani emphasised the importance of preserving indigenous traditions, noting that the growth of other religious practices should equally encourage renewed appreciation and development of Yoruba traditional heritage.
He observed that the growing enthusiasm surrounding the Egungun Festival under the reign of Oba Makama reflects an encouraging development in the preservation and promotion of indigenous culture.
According to him, traditional heritage deserves continuous attention, just as other religious practices continue to enjoy growth and recognition in society.
The festival, widely embraced by different generations, provided an opportunity for cultural expression, ancestral remembrance and the transmission of traditional values to younger members of the community.
Ancient Masquerades Showcase Kuta's Cultural Heritage
A major attraction of this year's celebration was the appearance of numerous masquerades from different compounds and quarters of Kuta, some of which represent traditions that have existed for generations.
Among the masquerades that featured were Ajirotutu, Owolewa I, II and III, Alenimonsun, Jafara, Eyifowope, Adakeja Bi Esu from Odofin Compound, Oloowo Layemon from Isale Oba, Lekewogbe, Ajofeebo (Dance for the White), Paramonle, Oyerin from Ile Ago, Oguntola I, Oloba, Layoowa and Alapomorosonsongudu.
Their colourful appearances, traditional movements and distinctive performances added historical and cultural significance to the celebration, highlighting the diversity of Egungun traditions within the Kuta community.
Beyond the entertainment, the gathering offered a platform for the preservation of ancestral heritage and the reaffirmation of the community's cultural identity.
Sustaining Tradition Across Generations
The 2026 Egungun Festival further demonstrated the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in preserving the history, customs and identity of indigenous communities.
The enthusiastic participation of younger people alongside older generations also reflected the continuing appeal of the festival and the importance of passing cultural knowledge from one generation to another.
Under the traditional leadership of Oba Hameed Adekunle Makama Oyelude, Kuta's celebration of Odun Isese has continued to provide an avenue for showcasing its indigenous heritage and bringing the community together.
The festival once again placed Kuta's rich cultural identity in the spotlight, reinforcing the significance of preserving Yoruba traditions amid changing religious, social and cultural realities.
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