It is a day dedicated to remembering our ancestors, honouring our deities, and reaffirming the Yoruba worldview that life, culture, and spirituality are inseparable.

How Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day is Celebrated

Across Yorubaland, celebrations include prayers, drumming, dances, and offerings to deities such as Ogun, Sango, Orisa Nla, Oshun, Oluweri, Esu, Egbe, and Odu. Families also honour their ancestors and departed souls, offering prayers and sacrifices for guidance and protection.

Beyond Nigeria, Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is celebrated in Brazil, Cuba, the Caribbean, North & South America, and Europe, where Yoruba descendants keep their traditions alive.

The Strength of the Yoruba People

The Yoruba are Nigeria’s largest ethnic group, numbering over 50 million people—larger than Germany or South Africa. This demographic, cultural, and intellectual weight strengthens the case for the recognition of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day as a national holiday.

Voices of Support

“A people who forget their source will dry up like a river that loses its roots. Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not just tradition—it is survival, renewal, and truth.” — Prof. Wole Soyinka

“Yoruba culture is one of Nigeria’s greatest exports. Its language, its religion, its festivals—they are alive on every continent.” — Olusegun Obasanjo

“Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is the foundation of Yoruba existence. To deny it is to deny our origin.” — Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi

Comparative Global Recognition

• Brazil: Dia da Consciência Negra, celebrating African heritage.
• Cuba: Yoruba spirituality through Santería, with state support.
• USA: Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
• Peru & Bolivia: Indigenous New Year as a national holiday.
• Ghana: Founders’ Day & Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day.

Nigeria, by contrast, has yet to give Ìṣẹ̀ṣe its due recognition—despite Yoruba traditions being among the most globally respected African heritages.

Economic Benefits of Recognizing Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day

• Tourism: Festivals like Osun-Osogbo already attract 100,000+ visitors.
• Diaspora Engagement: With over 100M Yoruba descendants worldwide, recognition could make Nigeria a cultural hub.
• Creative Economy: Drummers, artisans, and performers would thrive.
• Global Image: Like Ghana’s “Year of Return” ($1.9B revenue), Ìṣẹ̀ṣe could elevate Nigeria’s profile.

Why Nigeria Must Act Now

Recognizing Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day is both cultural justice and economic opportunity. It affirms heritage, strengthens unity, and positions Nigeria globally.

“A river that forgets its source will surely dry up.”