History of Oke Imesi – Origin of Oke imesi

Talk about one of the few places on earth that prides itself with a historic tradition of an “unmasked masquerade”, then you’re definitely talking about Okemesi, a rustic and serene town located in the heart of Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Okemesi said to have its origin from Ile Ife, the ancient seat and ancestral home of the Yoruba race is known for its unique scenic terrain, low land which is rich in fertile soil, and its festivals, particularly, the Oladunwo festival. Oladunwo is the name of the most revered Egungun (masquerade) in Okemesi. It is highly respected because of its importance and the role it played in the history of Okemesi and her people.

Bounded on the East by Ikoro-Ekiti and Ijero, on the South of Efon Alaaye, on the North of Imesi-Ile and on the West by Esa-Oke both in Osun State; history has it that Okemesi, Imesi-Ile, Ile-Ife and Ijesha are all related by blood. Okemesi and Imesi-Ile (in Osun State) were once a single town. However, a drive for adventure and desire to settle in a valley that protected her from neighborhood hostility brought the people of Imesi-Oke to what is now known as Okemesi.

It is said that the progenitor of the town was an Ile-Ife princess called Ooyelagbo, the first daughter of Oduduwa. History records that, after the death of her father, she distributed the Royal crowns among her siblings and kept the best crown for herself.

Okemesi Ekiti originated from Ile-Ife the ancient and ancestral home of the entire Yoruba race. Ooye-lagbo, the founder or progenitor of the town was the eldest daughter of Olofin the last king on the line of Oodua-the father of the Yoruba. She was the eldest sister of Ajibogun-the Owa Obokun of Ijesha land in Osun State. They were of the same mother, by name, Seputu.

When the children of Olofin were to leave Ile-Ife in their sojourns to found their own kingdoms, their father-Olofin told them to share his royal paraphernalia and properties consisting crowns and their state gods deities (idols) among themselves. Ooye -Lagbo being the eldest daughter and the princess who knew more about the royal treasures and the secret of these idols, was the one tasked with sharing the patrimony. She gave them a crown each. She understandably chose the best of the crowns for herself together with one AJASE sword and some other states idols; such as: Obanifon, Oduduwa, Ogun and Ooni etc. These idols are mostly deified ancestors of the Yoruba race. Olofin, himself, was afterwards also deified and is worshiped up till today. This is the actual origin of Okemesi. Okemesi Ekiti is renowned for her deep historical connection with Ekiti and Ijesha Kingdoms and their people in general.

The histories of Ekiti will not only be incomplete, it will be empty also without the mention of the name Prince Fabunmi and his roles in KIRIJI WAR. He will never be forgotten as the deliver and liberator of all the Ekiti and Ijesha kingdoms under the unbearable yoke of Ibadan People. The current king of the town is HRM Oba Michael Gbadebo Adedeji CON Ariyowonye II. He is one of the prominent kings called ALADEMERINDINLOGUN, The pelupelu obas in Ekiti land from time immemorial till date. Okemesi Ekit has her administrative pattern before the arrival of the colonial masters and subsequent introduction of Christianity and Islam.

Cultural Festivals:

Egungun (Oladunwo and Paraka) Festival- April/May

Ehinle Festival – October

Olokun Festival

Ose Festival – June

Oke Agbonna Festival -December

Oro Festival – 4th day after Egungun festival

Orisa odo ese Festival- April/May

Ekiti Parapo remembrance – October

Ogun festival – 3rd Week of December

Omo owa ‘dowo- September