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AGEMO MASQUERADE

Agemo

I am opportuned by virtue of my origin to have witnessed and experienced  a lot of rich cultural & traditional festivals. In the Remo (formerly Ijebu remo) area which I hail from, I have been left captivated, enchanted and mesmerized by many of such festivals amongst which is the Agemo festival.

I can remember vividly as a child seeing half-naked fierce looking men, who accompied the Agemo masquerades, taking turns to willingly  whip each other with the long whips they were holding. I am not sure which was more terrifying, ths sight of the men whipping each other or the 'moving' mats which danced hapharzardly around the arena. The arena was often open streets or in a king's palace,

The Agemo masquerade belongs to  the yoruba speaking people of Ijebuland. It is an enigmatic  phenomenon which is meant to be invincible. It is one of the most powerful deities in  Ijebuland believed to be a protector of children and also ensures blessings of Ijebu people. Agemo is believed to have been introduced by the mythical Obanta clans.

Festival

The festival usually takes place between the Months of June & August As a deity and unseen god, it dishes out instruction to custodian (The Oloja) and the like OLUGBON ASE (TAMI) to be carried out. The festival is usually preceded by "Ireku" which marks the opening of the gate for the Agemos to come into Imosan. The coming of the  Agemos into Imosan through Ijebu Ode is called "Iworo."

The festival lasts seven days and takes place after consultation between the Awujale (paramount ruler) of Ijebu land & the heads of sixteen recognized or titled agemos also called Olofas.

Agemo festival historically commenced after seven days of chanting by the Oro cult beating their gbedu drums after which the sixteen  Agemo masquerades from sixteen different villages gather at Imosan  via Ijebu-Ode to spend three days at the Agemo shrine where they receive gifts from the Awujale. It is a taboo for women to see the Agemos on their way to Imosan.

The Agemo masquerades perform several traditional rites and appease the Agemo deity. On the last day of the festival where a traditional ritual dance is performed, it can be witnessed by women. The masquerades then make their way to Ijebu Ode where the  festival ends with the dance by the leader of the agemo, 'Tami Onire' before the Awujale and further public dances by the other agemos.

Masquerades

There are 16 different types of Agemo masquerades and 15 are covered from head to toe in Raffia and wearing head masks. The 16th type, Agemo Eleni  (translates to Agemo with the Mat) which is about half the height of the other Agemo masquerades  is covered with a Mat.

Agemo Eleni during Sagamu Day Festival 2018 at Akarigbo Palace Sagamu, Remo, Ogun State