The word “keg,” which is a traditional local container for storing palm wine, gave rise to the name “kegite.”. The Kegites Club’s revelry is accompanied by an ethereal, magical feeling that is difficult to describe.
Due to the fervor surrounding their high-spirited activities, anyone who does not agree with them may find themselves making room for the glamour that surrounds them. This could be because of differences in ideology or religious beliefs.
Known for its spirited, cultural dancing and music with lyrics that are a mixture of lewd and edifying. The majority of kegites in Nigeria are located in higher education facilities. The most well-known sociocultural club in Nigeria is said to be the Kegites Club.
There are about 100 clubs in Nigeria, each of which is called Ilya. The University of Ife, which is now known as Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, was the birthplace of the Kegites club. In 1962, it was formally established. Next, in 1972, the University of Ibadan took the second formation.
The first chief to be crowned was Chief Olusegun Adesina, who was followed by Emmanuel Abiodun, Bisi Olatunji, and other executives who worked with the chief. They are referred to as the world chief.
The club’s previous mottos were “the foundation of African unity” and “world peace is palm wine.”. Later, it became “unity in diversity.”. The club’s members were formerly referred to as “palm-wine drinkers” until 1986, when Chief Anthony Uzodinma Ogidi changed the name to “Kegites” in response to the negative remarks and connotations the previous moniker had generated.
Many students from other institutions have found the club’s activities to be fascinating over the years, and as a result, they have gained autonomy from the University of Ife (the club’s global headquarters). Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (ILYA du TRACTOR), University of Ibadan (ILYA du UI), which received its keg of office in 1972, and a number of other institutions are among them.
The club has members in educational institutions in Brazil, Canada, Ghana, India, Liberia, and London. The club’s goals are to promote peace, revive cultural norms, and deter social vices while promoting Africanism through their music. Members of the club who have achieved notoriety include the late Obafemi Awolowo, former president Olusegun Obasanjo, professor Wole Soyinka, doctor Orji Kalu, and governor Akeredolu (SAN).
It is impossible to ignore the beauty of Kegites language. When singing and speaking, they use an esoteric tongue that is a mashup of English and the Yoruba language, with club-specific jargons. Jarasis is the name of the language. Ilya du World, or “World Headquarters,” is the name of a club, and it was founded at the University of Ife.
Transporta, the transport minister, is in charge of singing, along with Cricket, Drumito, Songito, Parrot, and Tapper, who rotates the holy water (palm wine).
Positions held by members of the Nigerian Kegites Club.
CHIEF: This is the president of the club in an ilya. He is in charge of accepting new member in the club that is called liberation and has the power to do many things.
ELDER: He is the second in command, that is the vice president to the chief.
FEDA: He is the secretary of an ilya.
PARROT: He is the director of information in an ilya, he passes information to the comrades.
PHILOSOPHER: He is the comrad who knows everything about the club, he teaches and tutorise both animales and comrados in the zoo.
H.O.D: Head of drums, he is in charge of the drum in an ilya he also teaches the other comrades how to beat the drums.
SONGITO: He is the vocalist of the club, he lead in songitizing in jara.
MIGRATOR: He organizes ketekete (vehicles) for external gyrations.
TAPPER: The person that rotates holy water .
MARSHAL: The provost in an ilya , he make sure that the comrads behaves well in an ilya.
LUPOUR: He is the person that shares the holy water for the comrades.
ZOO COMMANDANT: He is the person in charge of the co-ordination of the zoo class.
AJUCTANT: The person in charge of the chief’s items.
CURATOR: A person in charge of the shrine, all the chieftaincy parapitenal is usually put in the custody of the curator.
SPECIAL DUTY (Spedu) : The person also carries out some duty in an ilya.
ELDERSIS COUNCIL: Selection of chief and elders in an ilya who take some important decisions in order for the club to move forward.
CHIEFSIS COUNCIL: This council is the highest body in the club comprising of ab, xy, xyz, archival and metusela chiefesis.
SPIDER: He designs all the comradic materials example includes capito, regalia, neckito.
Kegites Club Song.
Drink in splendor, I say.
For me, holy water is beneficial.
From the Kegite stream, holy water.
Every day, that brings us joy.
They are thought to be wearing a cap of wisdom, according to popular belief. Members are wise people who have made the decision to savor the splendor of culture and palm wine drinking. Kegites Club of Nigeria members frequently recite the blessing, “May you walk and never stumble.”
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