“Newly born babies are forbidden here! While the arrival of a new baby is a joy to many, contrary is the case here where…”
While the arrival of a new baby is a joy to many, contrary is the case here where a newly born baby is a taboo. Taiwo Abiodun writes on the strange ancient town in Ogun State.
The mere mention of Isolosi, a royal quarter in Sango- Ota, in Ogun state can make one shiver and develop goose pimples. Reason: it is a place where newly born babies must not be seen!. One can only see toddlers , young and elderly people but not babies. In fact, hardly can one see or hear the cries of a baby there not to talk of witnessing naming ceremonies.
Isolosi is located in Sango –Ota, very close to Lagos . The location is dotted with ancient buildings and one can count the number of modern edifices built there. There is no sign of rapid development in the area. At the entrance to the Isolosi Quarter is a big statute of one of their monarchs.
Isolosi is a cultural place where the natives do not joke with their tradition. A stranger or a new comer to Isolosi must put ears to the ground to know when the Ogbodogi festival will be held.
