Ijakadi Offa is a 14th century cultural festival of Offa Kingdom in Kwara State. It was enacted around 1498 AD during the Moremi Festival. Moremi was an Offa woman who became the queen of Oranmiyan of Ile-Ife. She single handedly rescued the people of Ife from their enemies.
Ijakadi is a mock wrestling bout between the Olofa and Essa, his second in command, while the whole town cheer. Thus goes the popular saying “Ijakadi loro Offa,” a Yoruba phrase, meaning, “wrestling is an Offa game,” The colorful ceremony features traditional drummers, singing and dancing groups and hunting display. The symbolic winning of the bout by the Oloffa is a constant reminder of his indisputable authority of the town while the Essa would always give excuses for his loss. All his excuses elicit ovation of “Kabiyesi o” from the crowd.