THE culture has been identified as a unifying factor in any given society, be it modern of folk. Most of the societies in the world survive because of development of their cultural variables.
It is the accustomed system of any society no matter the race or colour, be it religious rites, exchange system, mode of production, rituals, family and kingship ties. The rearing of children are also culturally determined. The pattern of organization and interaction of any society is built upon its cultural background.
However, contrary to the general belief that a metropolitan society like Lagos is hardly cultural, Lagos is very rich in cultural properties as highlighted by the basic function of integration and continuity which culture perform for all social system.
It is important to know that Lagos though a melting point of cultures in Nigeria is a home of traditional Yoruba culture with several other cultures outside the state as a result of cultural diffusion resulting from inter-group settlement as well as diverse commercial and industrial activities that bring together people of varying ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Such cultural values have been integrated with Lagos flavour and colouration.
The richness of culture in Lagos is not limited to the riverine areas alone; those who occupied the upland areas of Lagos are too very rich in culture.
For example, despite the fact that the people in Ikeja, Apapa, Alimosho, Shomolu, Agege, Isolo, Mushin,Otto-mainland and Lagos Island have witnessed modernization on a large scale, indigenes, who are involved in traditional occupations like farming and weaving predominantly make use of rudimentary implements.
In view of this, festivals are celebrated at times to invoke the spirit of the soil fertility and workers of prosperity. However, some proportion of Lagos culture and its manifestations are of migrant origin.
For example, the Ijebu's notably of Ogun State origin and the Egun people of Badagry purported to have migrated from Benin Republic both have contributed to Lagos Culture. The early settlers in Lagos are the Awori, some of who occupy Ojo, Alimosho, Ikeja, Agege, Isolo, part of Eti-Osa celebrated some periodic festivals in the state, origin of which dates back to the period of migration and settlement.
This is why every year Lagosians from Shomolu, Bariga, Onipanu, Palmgrove, Agege and Ojo come together and take to the street in Shomolu-Bashua jurisdiction to celebrate the Oje Oyadolu Owolewa Egungun Festival.
Speaking to waka-about during the celebration of the festival the co-ordinator and chief organiser of the festival Chief Sunday Atanda, said that it is meant usher and propel prosperity and progress into the state and for peaceful co-existence between the inhabitants of the state.
He said the festival have been in existence for more than Eight decades adding that it has been a long age practice that has been passed over from one generation to another.
He explained further that the festival first began in Badagry before been spread across the state. The festival of Egun Oje also brings healing and purification to the people of the state and the barren looking for the fruit of the womb during this festival are blessed with babies.
The festival is usually celebrated every year while this year's festivity lasted for a whole month climaxing with a grand finale were the head Egungun will user in prayers for the benefit of the whole state.
The whole festivity was witnessed by the entire community including prominent sons and daughters of the area which came out in large numbers to take park in the celebrations.
Among the masquerade that takes part in the one month celebration includes Oyadolu, Owolewa, Ipin Aise, Ebiti and Omolere
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