Abstract

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Ogun festival among the Yoruba of Western Nigeria and among Africans generally, have been the subject of many learned discourses. This is largely illustrative of the popularity of the deity as an integral aspect of cultural heritage and as a vehicle for social cohesion. However, the poetic aspect of how Ogun deity is worshipped during Ogun festival by the Yoruba particularly the Ondo people, demands a deeper religious appreciation on which researchers of comparative mythology and religion have not done enough. This thus constitutes the subject of this paper. The paper, therefore, focuses on the exploration of the literary and poetic aspects of Ogun deity in relation to Ogun festival in Ondoland. It further examines the origin and role of Ogun deity in Yorubaland, Ogun in Ondo, the cultural basis of Ogun in Ondo, cardinal attributes of Ogun deity, role of worshippers in Ogun festival, mode of worship and its importance, Ogun and social harmony in Ondo; in order to appraise the immense significance of the various exploits and life - style that were recorded about Ogun deity in Ondoland. The aesthetic value or merit of this poetic form, however, is to the Ondo secondary to its religious significance. This is discussed from a mythological and spiritual perspectives. The paper establishes that the worship of Ogun deity is an oral tradition deeply rooted in the culture of the people and that it is essential to preserve its indigenous nature. It reveals that Ogun deity plays pivotal roles in the social, religious and political milieu of the Ondo people. The paper demonstrates that the worship of Ogun deity in Ondoland is not only a way of life but it has also transcended traditional, christian and muslim beliefs. It concludes that in Ondo, Ogun deity worship with its rich literary and poetic features is a source of unity in the society, and in a position to derive economic gains relating to tourist activities. However, it is imperative that African countries implement credible cultural policies to index, protect and promote the still existing deitist festivals and a somewhat delicate cultural heritage.