In the land of Ago, there is a lineage known as Orebele Ago, a people whose ancestral masquerade, Egun Ile Ago, is deeply respected and cherished. This is no ordinary masquerade—it is a spiritual custodian, a bearer of blessings, and a source of divine intervention for the community. The elders say, “Egun nkan to da ni, abala ye ni”—when you serve this masquerade with sincerity of heart, it rewards you richly. Its service is not for personal gain alone but for the wellbeing of the entire town. It is called upon to bring peace, end barrenness, and protect against the spirits of children who come and go too soon (abiku). When a sacrifice is made to Egun Ile Ago, whether with ram, cow, or chicken, and the blood is spilled in sacred prayer, the land is preserved from harm. This spilling of blood carries a powerful meaning: “Ki egun yi ko iku lo, ko arun lo, ati ki adura le gba”—may this masquerade drive away death and disease, and may prayers be answered. The Festival and Its Prayers During the annual festival, the most important prayers are for the town’s peace, the long life of its kings and chiefs, and the wisdom for rulers to govern justly. This is also the special time for awaiting mothers. It is said that during the festival, women seeking children come to pray, and before the next festival, their prayers are answered. The people know the signs of its coming. On the day it will appear, before dawn, a heavy dew settles on the land. The masquerade does not wander through the town—people come to it. If there is an urgent need for it to go out, a special blood sacrifice (Eje Eran) is required just to clothe it for the journey, and more sacrifices are offered as it moves. Its garments are never washed; it is a taboo. Sometimes, it asks visitors for cloth to be sewn into its costume. Strangely, these clothes never seem to get dirty, no matter the years that pass. This masquerade has existed for more than 47 years in living memory, but its people say it has been here since time immemorial. It is called Egun Ise Mbaye—the masquerade that has always been. Its uniqueness lies in its generosity of children and its joyful dances. The Sacred Tree – Igi Iyalode There is one sacred place Egun Ile Ago always visits during its festival: a tree just outside the compound known as Igi Iyalode. This is no ordinary tree—it is a guardian. People go to it for prayers and requests, believing it wards off evil from its surroundings. Not just anyone can cut or trim this tree. Rituals must first be performed, and its leaves will never fall where they are unwelcome. The elders say the tree is a living person in spirit form, and its wood is never used for cooking. During the festival, whatever is done for the masquerade—whether sacrifice or adornment—is also done for the tree, which is always dressed in white linen just like the Egun itself. A Meeting Place for the Spirits During the celebrations, other masquerades come to visit Egun Ile Ago, for it does not go to them. They gather, dance, and celebrate together, strengthening the bond between the spiritual and the earthly. And so, year after year, the people of Orebele Ago honor Egun Ile Ago, keeping alive the traditions, the sacred rituals, and the blessings it brings.