Kayo-Kayo festival is an annual religious and cultural state festival celebrated by the descendants of Oba Kosoko for the historical arrival of King Kosoko to Epe in the year 1851. Kayo-Kayo which literary means “eating to satisfaction” is known with the Epe community of Lagos State.
The festival is usually observed during the first month of the Islamic calendar in commemoration of ‘Yaom-al Ashura’ the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar, which is about a month after the Muslim festival of Eid-El-Kabir.
The Kayo-Kayo festival has grown to become a veritable platform to advance, develop and promote the local economy, to discuss the socio-economic challenges of the community and most significantly, to propagate their rich cultural heritage.
The Kayo-Kayo festival is a week-long festival, which comprises three dimensions. The religious dimension which aims at heralding the New Islamic Year with 1st Hijra calendar Muharram, the cultural dimension which commemorates King Kosoko’s landing in Epe and lastly, the social dimension which is about celebrating communal bonding by making and sharing abundant food to all.
The festival features several activities which includes a fashion parade show, heath awareness and screening, cultural displays, display of the best of Epe foods and youth parade. In order to display their culture at its best, they go to marina in boats to mimic how King Kosoko came to Epe in 1851.
In 2018, Several sites were visited during the festival, among sites visited is the house occupied by Divisional Officers (colonial masters), another site is King Kosoko’s disembarking point and boat in 1851, where a giant Etufu (traditional torch) was lit and left for a period of seven days. The last day of 2019 festival was rounded off on Saturday with a boat ride that symbolizes Prophet Noah’s ark.
The Day one of the festival begins with Juma’at prayers, followed by a press conference. Day two features a Royal visit to the Olu-Epe of Epe Kingdom in the morning and later in the evening, the Tahjud night is observed at the first Epe central mosque. A special Jummat service takes place on day three also at the first Epe central mosque.
The fourth and final day which is on a Saturday comprises three activities. The first is the annual Kayo-Kayo Prayer at the Palace of Olu-Epe of Epe Kingdom, the second activity is the Epe Kayo-Kayo festival drama display and performance at the Epe theatre, and the last activity is the lightening of Etufu by the Olu-Epe of Epe Kingdom.
Some various side activities include the Kayo-Kayo empowerment raffle draw, where a car and other consolatory prizes will be won, as well as a football competition, a quaranic competition, a youth rally, children’s party, royal visit by the Oba to the districts of Epe founding fathers, Royal procession on the Lagoon beach and the Kayokayo Musical Night.
