Like most famous musicians, he started his career from the church. With stage charisma as his strong weaponit didn’t take long before he got known all over Nigeria. Moving over to the UK later, Israel Olayinka Ekundayo, a.k.a. Mr. Manna continued to make waves even as he jammed regularly with such popular artistes as Sir Shina Peters, Yinka Ayefele and Jide Chord whenever they found themselves overseas. Right now, the juju musician is working on a number of projects, which will be unveiled at Christmas. Mr. Manna who hails from Badagry, Lagos State, was born into a family of musically gifted parents. His Father, Prophet A. Ekundayo was the choirmaster and Mum, Mother-in-Israel R. Ekundayo was the choir mistress at C&S Church, The Promised Land of Glory. He learnt his trade from the best teachers available – his parents.

Eyo festival takes place whenever occasion and tradition demand, but it is usually held as the final burial rites for a highly regarded chief. Among the Yorubas, the indigenous religions have largely given way to Christianity and Islam, but the old festivals are still observed. The traditional leaders of the Yorubas are the Obas, who live in palaces and govern along with a council of ministers. The Obas’ position is now mainly honorary, and their chiefly role is during the observance of the festivals.

A full week before the festival (always a Sunday), the senior eyo group, the Adimu (identified by a black broad-rimmed hat), goes public with a staff, when this happens it means the event would take place on the following Saturday. Each of the four other important ones — Laba (Red), Oniko (yellow), Ologede (Green), Agere (Purple) —in this very order take their turns from Monday to Thursday.