The Yoruba-speaking folks of Kogi state are sometimes called the Okun. Though some components of Ekiti and Kwara states additionally communicate the Okun dialect. Nevertheless, the Yoruba from different states like Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos, and Ondo normally say that the Okun individuals are not initially yorubas however historical past states that they’re Yoruba.The Okun land includes of various teams like Bunu, Ijumu, Owe, Oworo, and Yagba folks includes six(6) totally different native governments which incorporates Ijumu, Kabba/Bunu,Yagba East, Yagba West,MopaMuro and Lokoja native authorities space. The Okun language is spoken within the Kogi West Senatorial District and are as much as 20% of Kogi state inhabitants.
“Okun” is part of greeting amongst these group of individuals and can even signify “sorry”, “good day” or “Well_done”.The Okun folks communicate totally different dialect like Owe, Iyagba, Ijumu, Bunu and Oworo. Though, all of them perceive one another and share widespread tradition and historical past. Nevertheless, these dialects are usually not the actual Yoruba language however might be understood by the folks of Ile Ife.
The Okun folks had been previously primarily based in Kwara State till 1991 when there was the creation of Kogi, Nasarawa State,Ekiti State, Osun state, Taraba state, Jigawa state, zamfara State, kebbi State ,Yobe state ,Delta State and Eboyin State. On the creation of those states by the previous president Ibrahim Babangida,the Okun turned main a part of Western Senatorial District of Kogi State.Whereas they had been in Kwara State they had been in Oyi LGA and had been generally known as the Kabba folks.
His royal majesty, Olu Anthony Bamigbaiye Idowu (Olu Adde of Ekinrin _Adde) said that in accordance with historical past,their forefathers migrated from Ile Ife.They had been three brothers who had been hunters,the older one is Gbede, the second is Yagba and the youngest is Ogidi and that’s the reason they’ve three(3) main districts in Okun land. They’ve the Ijumu kingdom,the Gbede and the Yagba group which is now generally known as yagba land. Initially ,the three brothers settled in Adde earlier than they separated.
The hunter later moved his aged spouse generally known as iya agba (older mom)to northwestern a part of Owe and named it odo iya agba that means place of older mom which now generally known as Yagba districts. This district home three LGA that are; Yagba East, Yagba West, and MopaMuro.
Within the Okun land, it’s mentioned that each indigene of the land should have an Oriki (Eulogy). Oriki means one’s crown, heritage, and inspiration. It’s a reward track and attribution to an individual. It serves as an identification and tells lots about an individual. Chief Olojo Johnson Aribide of Ekinrin added that One’s oriki signifies the city and household an individual comes from. It makes one proud, happier, comfy, and welcomed.
The Okun Males costume in Agbada and Fila whereas the ladies costume of their Iro, buba and gele. Their attires are normally created from adire and aso oke. To show the wealthy Okun tradition, an apparel was just lately made for the Okun folks. This apparel was created from aso oke and has a combination of 4(4) colours. These colours embody, inexperienced, blue, white, and brown. This aso oke apparel might be worn for particular occasions like weddings and conventional festivities. Their native dish is pounded Yam and egusi with plenty of iru(locust beans) and palm wine. Adun and itowo are additionally recognized to be quite common and widespread snacks amongst these folks. Their main occupation consists of farming, looking, palm wine tapping, and buying and selling.
In Okun land, there are numerous festivities. Certainly one of these is the yam competition. The yam competition is normally celebrated in June. Throughout this era, the primary yam could be harvested and celebrated.Farmers normally brings the primary yams from their farms for show and people with the largest yams are sometimes admired. Throughout the celebration, masquerades dance across the city with an enormous crowd carrying the yam. Moreover, the yams are cooked or roasted with the supervision of the ladies round after which the Kings and high chiefs of the land eats the yam earlier than it’s declared okay to be consumed by everybody. Moreso, in accordance with custom, it’s unacceptable for anybody in the neighborhood to eat the brand new yam earlier than the celebration. This era additionally serves as a chance to thank God for a bountiful harvest and ask for plentiful rain for the following farming. This festive season which is normally in June serves as a brand new 12 months for the Okun folks. Subsequently, each Okun particular person (house and overseas) is anticipated to return house for this celebration.
The Okun land has so many prestigious vacationer locations. A few of these locations embody The Akoba Hill, Iowa Hill, Nike Artwork Middle, and Obangogo Hills. Folks from totally different components of the world usually go to these locations. This has in someway introduced improvement and improve to the Okun land. The Okun individuals are recognized to be very welcoming, peaceable, and accommodating folks. Okun land is certainly a spot to be.
— Moses Sarah Opeyemi, a 300-Degree Mass Communication Scholar of Prince Abubakar Audu College, Ayingba, Kogi State.
