Today is Ìta, the second day after the first performance of Egúngún Ẹ̀gẹ́ (the Olórí Egúngún of Ọ̀tà), who performed alongside all the Egúngún in the land, appear again.
According to Bàbá Olóróró, a respected member of the Egúngún cult in Ọ̀tà, Egúngún tradition was adopted into Ọ̀tà from the Old Ọ̀yọ́ Empire during the reign of Aláàfin Onígbogí. Ọ̀yọ́ and Ọ̀tà maintain a strong historical relationship to this day, and there's a tie between today's Aláàfin and Ọlọ́tà. The influence of Àṣà Òrìṣà Ọ̀yọ́-Aláàfin is in Ọ̀tà Àwórì. I found banners from Àṣà Òrìṣà Ọ̀yọ́ installed in Ọ̀tà by their Òrìṣà community, and I personally saw members of their community in attendance.
During this ongoing festival, at least 73 Egúngún are scheduled to perform, based on the calendar outlined by the Egúngún community and the Ìwé Òfin Ọ̀jẹ̀ Parapọ̀.
Many Ọ̀tà indigenes have said this year’s festival has taken an entirely new turn. It has surpassed past editions by far. The celebration so far has been a cultural eruption, bursting with colour, rhythm, and ancestral pride. For me, it's absolutely beyond what words can capture.
I wish all natives of Ọ̀tà (Àwórì Kingdom) a joyful Egúngún Festival. Ọdún ayọ̀ la ó máa ṣe. Ilẹ̀ Yorùbá kò ní bàjẹ́ o.
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