The 2026 Alase Festival in Ola Land, Ejigbo Local Government Area of Osun State, has ended with prayers for peace, unity and development of the ancient town.
The three-day festival culminated in a colourful procession around the town and the commencement of new yam eating by the Alase of Ola Land, Dr. Olufemi Fasanya, following the completion of sacred seclusion rites.
The annual celebration also highlighted the historical significance of the Alase Stool and the need to preserve the cultural heritage of Ola Land.
The festival attracted traditionalists, Christians and Muslim worshippers, alongside sons and daughters of Ola Land, who gathered to celebrate their heritage and pray for the well-being of the community.
The festival marks the commencement of new yam eating by the Alase of Ola Land after the completion of sacred seclusion rites, a period devoted to prayers and supplications for the peace, progress and prosperity of the town and its people.
The Alase stool occupies a significant place in the history of Ola Land, with the town’s founding traditions tracing its origins to the Alase, revered as brothers who established the community.
Addressing members of the Alase Dynasty and other indigenes, Dr Fasanya expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to witness another edition of the festival.
He also appreciated members of the dynasty for their support and cooperation throughout his nineteen years on the throne, stressing the importance of collective commitment to the continued development of Ola Land.
The Alase noted that the dynasty had contributed to the growth of the community and called for sustained efforts to preserve its ancestral traditions for future generations.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of the Alase Dynasty, Chief David Omidele, and the Deputy Chairman, Mr Gboyega Faniran, urged members of the family to maintain peace, mutual understanding and cooperation in advancing the interests of the dynasty and the wider community.
The Chairman of the 2026 Alase Annual Festival, Mr Sunday Ayodele, appreciated individuals and groups whose contributions helped ensure the success of the celebration.
In a brief sermon, a member of the dynasty, Deacon Gabriel Alade, also emphasised the importance of unity, urging family members to work together to address challenges confronting the dynasty.
The festival ended with a colourful procession led by the Alase of Ola Land, Dr Fasanya, alongside members of the dynasty and the Omolosus, women born into the dynasty who married into other families.
The celebration underscored the enduring place of the Alase institution in Ola Land’s history and the community’s efforts to sustain its cultural traditions.
