Ilara-Ogudo Yewa

Understand

History Ilara-Ogudo is an offshoot community of Ketu, a town situated in the present-day Benin Republic. History has it that Ketu people migrated from Ile-Ife under the leadership of Sopasan (Alaketu), son of Oduduwa, to found the Ketu Kingdom. Ilara had maintained the affinity with Ketu until Ketu lost Ilara to the British protectorate in boundary demarcation. The town was reported to have come into existence due to the expedition of a set of people who left Ketu to hunt wildlife in the forest. On getting to the forest, they were fortunate to kill an elephant, which upon opening its stomach, they found in it “Ose Sango and Edun Aara”. They were amazed and afraid of the turn of events and as a result consulted the Ifá oracle, who told them not to eat the elephant but instead bury it and settle in that location. The elephant was buried in the forest and they named the place "Ogudo". The forest itself was called Igbo-Ogudo (Ibiti Ogun ni ki ndo abi Tedo), meaning: "the place where Ogun (god of iron) said I should settle".

Do

The town is home to several festivals among which are

The Egungun (Masquerade) Festival. Usually kicks off on a Friday night, with the following day witnessing the Egungun parade round the major street in a long single queue. Oro Festival. Forbids women from staying outdoor throughout the festivities. Usually is held across three Saturdays in a year. Iwe Cultural Dance. Usually organized by men and women of the same age group to entertain the community on a chosen day of the year.

Eat

Ilara people love food and are particularly fond of "Amala," a form of thick paste traditionally made from yam chips flour, and common among the Yoruba ethnic group. Other local cuisines include:

Tuwo locally called Lagba, made from maize flour. Opoporu Soup commonly called Obe Oodun, meaning "festive soup," a special kind of food commonly prepared on special occasions. Agumata, prepared with slices of raw tomatoes, onions, peppers, and mixed with locust beans, smoked fish or meat.