In the heart of our ancient town, there lives a masquerade whose very name brings joy and peace — Egun Omo Fo Wo We. It is no ordinary egungun, for its mission is simple yet profound: ki ilu maa ni idamu, ki gbogbo eniyan ni alaafia — to keep the land free of trouble and to grant peace to its people. They say that when you come before this masquerade with your heart’s burden, ko si ohun ti o nira ju, nothing is too hard for it to handle. People come from far and near — young and old, visitors and indigenes alike — during its annual festival. They pray, they make specific requests, and year after year, stories abound of answered prayers. Unlike some other egungun that are fierce and untouchable, Omo Fo Wo We is egun onijo — a dancing masquerade. Omo yi mo gbogbo iru ijo to wa ninu asa Yoruba — this one knows every step in the Yoruba world of dance. And so, whenever it comes out, the air is filled with the rhythm of drums, the laughter of children, and the shuffle of eager feet following it through the streets. Legends say that during its appearance, nature itself joins the celebration — iri ma se, ojo a se wiriwiri — the dew will fall and the rain will drizzle, as though the heavens are blessing the moment. For over five generations — nearly two hundred years — Egun Omo Fo Wo We has paraded our streets, carrying the history and pride of the town. Its clothing is treated with care; always washed, starched, and pressed to perfection. The original fabrics are treasured, and each year, new cloth is added to renew its splendor. It is never alone. There is always orebe, the faithful assistant, who may appear on behalf of the egungun if an urgent matter calls for its presence outside its festival season. For the essence of egungun in Yoruba land is sacred — lati ko gbogbo ibi jakejado ilu ki ilu le maa lo dara — to sweep away all evil from the land, for any town that neglects this may not flourish. And so, year after year, Omo Fo Wo We dances — not just for joy, but for peace, unity, and the blessings of all who call upon it. Its steps are the heartbeat of the town, its presence a reminder that tradition still watches over us.