Comparative Portrayals of Costume, Make-up and Properties in Ògún, Ọba and Ọ̀ràmfẹ̀ Festivals in Oǹdó Kingdom

Abstract

Ògún, Ọba and Ọ̀ràmfẹ̀ festivals are the most elaborately celebrated festivals in Oǹdó Kingdom, for their spiritual and social significance. Some of the dramatic features which make up the festivals are costumes, make-up, and properties. Critical analysis of these festivals showed that the place of costume, make-up, and properties in Ògún, Ọba and Ọ̀ràmfẹ̀ festivals cannot be overemphasized. A detailed study of the use of costumes, make-up, and properties was done in order to determine their comparative portrayals. Data were elicited from local historians, priests, participant observation, and audio-visual recordings. Relevant archival materials were also consulted. From the findings, six types of costumes were identified in the festivals: Ẹgbẹ́jọdá (uniform type), gbogbogbòò (general form), divinities form (Ajẹmórìṣà), Apanilẹ́rìn-ín (comic form), Ajẹmẹ́fẹ̀ (satirical), and Adígẹrẹwu (disguise form). The paper concludes that the use of costumes, make-up and properties in Ògùn, Ọba and Ọ̀ràmfẹ̀ festivals typified unity in diversity and implied common essence despite the differences.