Owo

Owo is one of the largest cities in Ondo State, South West Nigeria. The Palace of the Olowo of Owo is the largest palace in Africa.

Understand
In their oral tradition, Owo traces its origins back to the ancient city of Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba culture. Oral tradition also claims that the founders were the sons of the Yoruba deity Oduduwa, who was the first ruler of Ile-Ife. The early art-historical and archaeological records reinforce these strong affiliations with Ife culture. Owo was able to maintain virtual independence from the neighboring kingdom of Benin but was on occasion required to give tribute. The transmission of courtly culture flowed in both directions between the Benin and the Owo kingdoms. The skill of Owo's ivory carvers was also appreciated at the court of Benin. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Benin's rulers increasingly utilized insignia made from ivory, and imported Owo's art objects and recruited its artisans for their own royal workshops. There were other notable artworks that can be evidently supported.

Owo later came under British rule in 1893. After Nigeria declared independence in 1960, it was part of the Western Region until 1967 when it became part of the Western State. Owo and its indigenes played significant roles in the politics of the First Republic in Nigeria. In 1976, it became part of the newly created Ondo State.

In 2016, the area was home to about 220,000 people.

By bus
There are different buses that transport people from various parts of the state to Owo ranging from ₦500 depending on your location.

People also come from various parts of the country to Owo directly paying different prices depending on your location.

By plane
People move down to Owo with plane from different parts of the country especially Lagos. From Lagos to Owo using a plane is about 1½ hours. The prices also vary depending on locations.

By bus
People move around Owo to all parts of the city using buses apart from the taxi which can be used to transport people and goods.

By motorbike
Bikes are also used to convey people to some parts of Owo especially places that are far from from the road or are rough for the use of buses.

Places

 * Rufus Giwa, Polytechnic, a state-owned institution established in 1979.
 * St. John’s Teacher Training College
 * government trade institute

Do
Igogo Festival: This festival takes place annually. It lasts for a period of seventeen days and begins with Upeli proceedings by the Iloro chiefs. This Upeli procession lasts for 12 days and features several activities including Utegi, Ugbabo, Uyanna and Ugbate. This festival is also a period of celebration of new yams and masquerade dance. Dancing in the market by the monarch is also one of the rites performed during the festival. The festival is done in remembrance of the king’s wife who turned into a tree while she was being pursued by the king’s slave so that she will return to the palace after her rival violated her taboos in her presence. During the procession, beating of drums by individuals or associations is forbidden beating drums rather metal gongs (agogo) are being used and firing of guns, the use of caps by men and head ties by women at close range to the Owo monarch, the Olowo of Owo is also highly prohibited. The Olowo normally dress himself in coral beaded gown and plaits his hair like a woman during the celebration. The chiefs plait their hair and dance round the town, and visit their loved ones who give them gifts in return. The festival features the dance of bare-chested men, the Iloro Quarter men called Ighares. They often wear white caps with two horns of buffalo in their hands. They strike these horns together while dancing around the town and visiting some sacred places in the town. During this rite, any animal that crosses their paths automatically becomes food for them. The prime aim of the festival is to encourage greater involvement of the youths of the community into the cultural norm of Owo.

Go next
From Owo, you can go to some other cities in Nigeria such as:


 * Emure
 * Ise Ekiti
 * Akure
 * Ikere
 * Idanre
 * Igbara Odo
 * Ode
 * Ikole