The historical Itakpo Festival, popularly known as the Feast of Passover of the Ososo community in Akoko Edo LGA, is set to be held seven years after the last edition.

A member of the community age-group cultural fiesta, Ajamah Afemikhe, said the septennial event was slated for February 12.

According to him, the festival is acclaimed as one of the major drivers of tourists to Edo, with expected participants from within the country and the diaspora.

“Itakpo festival is patriarchal age-grade initiation, a moment of graduation from boyhood to manhood; it is an elevation to the elder’s assembly in the society.

“It marks the end of the youthful milestone and years of service, labour, and protection of the community and is also the gateway to joining the critical decision-making body of the community,” he said.

According to Mr Afemikhe, Itakpo also celebrates the historical migration of the people of Ososo from ‘Ogbe’, a quarter in the ancient Benin Kingdom to its present settlement.

He said the migration of their ancestors took several years as they stayed in many locations before the final settlement at their present location, Ososo.

“The people of Ososo did not come to this present-day location by chance but by sheer dignity, which has been a sacred endowment by God and our ancestors,” he said.

Mr Afemikhe explained that the festival was usually flagged off with sensitisation visits with drumming and dancing by families of participating age groups and a collection of kola nuts from every member of the celebrating group.

He added that social activities were also lined up to make the 2024 edition of the festival unique and memorable, including various cultural displays.

He said this included cladding of traditional costumes, regalia and hairstyles adorned by the wives and families of the celebrants.

(NAN)