Olokun Festival

The Olokun festival which takes place usually eight days after the Ojuju festival, involves the assemblage and exhibition of all royal paraphernalia in the palace. The royal items include; beaded crowns, royal feathers ( iere-okin), beaded staff of office, hand bags, neck,hand and leg beads, coral neck chains, the king's walking sticks, etc.  All are displayed on a white linen ( aso ala). 

The myth surrounding the origin of the Olokun festival dates back to the times of great Yoruba progenitor, oduduwa, who had as a wife Olokun, the goddess of the sea. Olokun was said to specialize in weaving and making traditional royal paraphernalia. She was capable of repairing broken beads and designing new ones for use by Oduduwa. 

Oduduwa came to be identified with the beaded crown and staff of office.

It has become the practice in Yoruba land that after a King's major outing, the Olokun deity must be worshipped and appeased. Items to be offered to the Olokun include ; white pigeons, beans cooked and processed into white ( ekuru funfun) and red colours ( ekuru pupa),  moinmoin , kolanuts ,salt, palm wine etc.

It is generally believed that the Olokun brings increase wealth and abundance to the people. Part of Ifa panegyrics include the saying "abudi ni ti omi okun" i.e   there are no scars left on the surface of the ocean when a scoop is taken out of it.