By Dada Ahmed.
Tucked away in the lush hills of Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area, Magongo in Kogi State might seem like an unassuming town, until May each year, when it bursts to life with the radiant energy of the Owiya Osese Festival, a century-old tradition that transforms the town into a theatre of colour, culture, and communal pride.
This is no ordinary festival. It is a sacred rite, a proud transition of young girls into womanhood, steeped in the values of chastity, discipline, and community honour. In a world where traditional values are increasingly threatened by globalization, Magongo’s annual ritual offers a compelling counter-narrative: a community preserving its identity, heritage, and moral compass.
First practiced in the 1870s as intimate family rites, Owiya Osese has evolved into a grand communal celebration. At its core lies the initiation of virgin girls aged 16 and above, known as Iwiya, who are mentored in seclusion by respected women called Iyodina. The girls are groomed in domestic skills, moral discipline, and the cultural expectations of womanhood.
The highlight of the action packed weeklong festival is a majestic public outing, where the maidens, adorned in traditional attire and beads, perform dances and songs that symbolize their readiness for adult responsibilities. With thousands of community members and visitors in attendance, it is a moment of honour and pride, not just for the girls, but for their families and the entire Magongo community.
This year’s festival, the grand finale of which came up on May 17, 2025, is set to be the most spectacular yet. According to Mr. Biodun Fadipe, Chairman of the Festival Planning Committee, an impressive lineup of events was developed by his committee to deepen the cultural experience of the community.These include traditional age group dancing, receptions, feasting, mountaineering to Ogegegosi mountain, for its kind in the history of the festival, cultural parade displaying the rich cultural heritage of Magongo community,, the Ekpase Ofufuwa eating competition, and vibrant sporting events among others.
The National President of the Magongo Development Association (MDA), Prince Jordan Alaba Akpata, noted that the festival attracted high-profile guests from across Nigeria and the diaspora, and likened the development to a clear signal of the growing cultural relevance and prestige of Magongo community.
Beyond its ceremonial grandeur, Owiya Osese plays a subtle but significant role in strengthening communal harmony. Over the years, it has helped foster peace between Magongo and its neighbours, some of whom share intertwined histories and ancestral roots. It’s also gaining momentum as a cultural export and source of revenue for the state as Owiya Osese has the potential of being designated as a national festival.
But tourism enthusiasts that attended the 2025 edition of the festival believe that the greatest promise of Owiya Osese may lie in its potential as a cultural tourism asset.
Therefore,to transform Owiya Osese from a local celebration into a globally recognized tourism destination, the Kogi State Government can adopt a multi-pronged approach:
Partner with the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) to brand Owiya Osese as one of Nigeria’s top indigenous cultural festivals. Create marketing campaigns in partnership with embassies, travel agencies, and cultural attachés abroad.
Improve road access to Magongo, expand hospitality facilities, and ensure the availability of power, water, and security. A seamless visitor experience is key to return tourism.
Establish an Owiya Osese Cultural Village, a year-round facility showcasing Magongo’s heritage, crafts, cuisine, and the story of the festival. This would serve as a training hub and tourist attraction.
Collaborate with hotels, and tour operators to create festival travel packages that cater to foreign tourists and the Nigerian diaspora.
Livestream the festival, maintain a festival website, and engage social media influencers to create global buzz. Documentaries and short films can be submitted to international film festivals.
Host mini cultural investment fora during the festival week, inviting Nigerian and international investors to explore opportunities in tourism, agriculture, crafts, and real estate of not just Magongo community but the state at large.
Train local youths in tourism, hospitality, and cultural product development to create jobs and ensure sustainability.
Owiya Osese is more than just a festival, it’s a vivid affirmation of African values, womanhood, and identity. In a time of moral flux and fading traditions, Magongo’s unflinching commitment to its heritage offers both inspiration and a blueprint for cultural preservation.
With proper support by members of the public and private sector of the economy and strategic promotion, the Owiya Osese Festival can evolve into one of West Africa’s leading cultural showcases, drawing tourists, researchers, investors, and admirers of authentic African tradition.
And as the maidens of Magongo take their graceful steps into womanhood each May, they also walk the world closer to appreciating the timeless elegance of Nigerian culture.
Ahmed publishes The Reporters.
ahmeddada008@gmail.com.
