The “Freedom” Journey.
In a southwestern region in Nigeria called osun state, in a Local Government known as Ilesa-west, being an “OMO ISHE”(apprentice) is a more common title among teenagers than being a “STUDENT”. When education is unsure or furthering of it is delayed, it’s only normal you acquire a skill or craft (HANDWORK). You pick a craft you like more (e.g; tailoring, hairdressing, welding, mechanic, carpentry etc) and go to the boss with your family to discuss your duration of learning and to get a list of things you would come with in other to be accepted as an apprentice (e.g soft drinks, food items, cash, drinks like schnapps or wine).
This is like an application phase and those items are like the criteria to get the job. Most times, the bosses of a particular craft forms a club, guild or Association “EGBE” so when new apprentice are acquired some of the items brought by the apprentice would be shared among the EGBE’s as a form of recognition or something. After your duration has amounted that’s when “AYONDA”(The Transitional Ceremony) comes to play.
The Ayonda focuses on the processes that follows after a craft havs been mastered by an apprentice. This is not the final step, it’s a formal announcement of completion of apprenticeship. Most times, apprenticeship is not only about the skill. It is about discipline, ethics and balance. Apprentice are often taught how to multitask, think on their feet and yes run errands. Most apprentice often detest the running errands part especially when it has to do with outside the skills. Eg; Washing plates or spoon-feeding teacher’s child, well I don’t think anyone likes that but here in Nigeria it becomes a part of your acquisition and refusal to do so means you lack the ethical discipline to become a leader in your field.
In some regions, in order for the bosses to acknowledge that his/her apprentice is now good at the craft learned, they buy them an expensive instrument used for that craft. Eg; a sewing machine, cooking stove, laptop etc. Some give them a huge amount of money, some go as far as establishing a place for them and some just pray for them and tell them goodbye. The most common of all is, at least they give them a certificate. It all depends on your agreement when applying or how much you impress your “Oga” (boss).
However, things are a little different here in Ilesa-West. After your duration is up, the bosses are allowed to add up to 6 months or more extra where you still stay, learn and serve. And after this time is exhausted you are now given a list containing things to bring and an amount to pay. Bringing the list is not the final or end of your journey as an apprentice but only just the beginning of the end. Those items are only for announcement and awareness that you would no longer be coming to your place for work in which case the leader of the EGBES would come out to pray for you and some of the members in the EGBES. Your boss would be asked to talk about your character as an apprentice and your behavior throughout the time you were under him or her. All these processes itself is what is called the “Ayonda” but your journey still continues.
Now, do you know what happens after all this event is carried out? Okay listen, another list is being given to you. Yea you heard me, buh this time it’s the final list. This new list is more expensive than the application list and Ayonda list combine if not double of it. This list is called the “FREEDOM” list ( The Final Rite) . All the processes for Ayonda was only leading up to this period. The Ayonda itself was to ask for allowance or chance to go hustle money or prepare for the main event which is the freedom. The freedom is a must as long as you still reside in that local government. Seeing that you aren’t allowed to use the skill you acquired unless you are at home or somewhere very private. This means you can not establish a shop or another center without completing your Ayonda. Being caught applying it in public especially for monetary gain might go as far as you being arrested. The freedom itself is a celebration that’s used to tell the world that this boy/girl is no longer an apprentice buh now a master. A ceremony that announces to the public that the apprentice is now a Master and is free to set up his/her place. After this, a certificate is given to show and acknowledge all I just said.
Cultural Significance of AYONDA
This system is not just about learning a trade, it is about:
- Discipline.
2. Respect for hierarchy.
3. Community acknowledgment,
4. Rites of passage into adulthood and independence.
5. Celebration of Skill Graduation.
It’s also a deeply rooted social structure, maintained and respected by both elders and youths in Nigeria, especially the Ilesa-Osun state.
In a time where formal education isn’t always accessible, systems like this ensure that no youth is left idle or without purpose.
It preserves cultural heritage while providing economic empowerment.
It also shows that mastery isn’t just about skills, but also about character, service, and recognition.
Didn’t really know about this aspect.