The origin of the celebration of Oronna Day/Festival could be traced to the very beginning of Ilaro shortly after it was founded by Aro, a brave hunter and farmer from Oyo Ile sometimes in the middle of the 17th century. Not long afterwards, the settlement Ilaro (from Ilu Aro) was under the threat of invasion by the notorious and fearful Dahomean Army. Aro had no choice but to send message to warriors and princes in Oyo to join him in protecting the fertile land from the marauding Dahomean fighters.
One of the Oyo Princes and warriors that answered that call was Oronna
who won many battles and became a Generalissimo in the defence of Ilaro
from Dahomeans and other attackers.
Oronna’s exploits was great that he was recognised as super-human and in time assumed a deity figure. It was believed that Oronna enjoyed special support from Odua, the deity of the ancient town of Itolu as well as other deities from Oyo.
However, no enemy dare challenge Ilaro to war and even in death Oronna pledged to defend Ilaro people. Oronna is said to have disappeared into the earth following a provocation leaving the tail of a long chain tied to his waist as exit point from earth.
The point of his disappearance is now the famous Oronna Shrine which is now a tourist centre in Ogun State. It is at the shrine that all kings of Ilaro are crowned while most Ilaro people are called ‘Omo Oronna’.
Oronna celebration is a unifying yearly socio-cultural event by Ilaros.
#Oronna #Ilaro #Festival.
Oronna’s exploits was great that he was recognised as super-human and in time assumed a deity figure. It was believed that Oronna enjoyed special support from Odua, the deity of the ancient town of Itolu as well as other deities from Oyo.
However, no enemy dare challenge Ilaro to war and even in death Oronna pledged to defend Ilaro people. Oronna is said to have disappeared into the earth following a provocation leaving the tail of a long chain tied to his waist as exit point from earth.
The point of his disappearance is now the famous Oronna Shrine which is now a tourist centre in Ogun State. It is at the shrine that all kings of Ilaro are crowned while most Ilaro people are called ‘Omo Oronna’.
Oronna celebration is a unifying yearly socio-cultural event by Ilaros.
#Oronna #Ilaro #Festival.
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