Ayo Olopon is one of the oldest local games among the Yoruba and has been in existence, since time immemorial. In the past, it is usually played by people, usually the aged, sitting face to face, while the game box is placed at the centre.
Then, the young hardly play it as the aged usually prevented them from participating, because different types of jokes usually cracked during the game, some of which could lead to a fight. It was simply a game of the aged.
But for the wisdom and perseverance of elders, fighting would be prevented by them with a common saying that “Ere lanfomo ayo se” (game is meant to play)
However, with the advent of modern technologies, Ayo Olopon has been re-designed to suit the purpose of entertainment for both the young and the old. The old game has also been modernised that it can be played at any time by even one person. What’s more, it has been digitalised into a mobile app game.
One of the sponsors of the 2015 Osun Osogbo Festival, the Grand Oak Limited, has unveiled the introduction of Ayo Olopon on mobile phone.