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By Tomi Lala
The wife of Oni of Ile-Ife who doubles as the Cultural Ambassador of the Ayangalu Traditional Drum Festival 2024, Her Majesty, Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi has clarified that Ayan Agalu Festival is the period set aside to honour and celebrate the greats deeds of deities, while stating that it is not fetish and or an avenue to worship deities.
Olori Aderonke stated this on Thursday, during the 3rd edition of Ayan Agalu Traditional Drum Festival held in Ojaja Arena ,Ife Grand Resort, Ile Ife Osun state.
While speaking, the Queen emphasized that, it is a great misconception among most people that Ayan Agalu Festival means worshipping of drums and deity.
She said, “Ayan Agalu festival is a patron deity of drumming and what we are doing today is, we’re honoring the deity, we’re celebrating the Ayan Agalu.
“Orisas are human being who did exceptional things and we remember them, when we celebrate them, it’s just to honour them, we don’t worship them, but we remember them and the great things they did when they’re alive.”
Olori Aderonke continued by analyzing the significance of Drumming in Yoruba culture especially among young individuals.
“Traditional Drum Festival, it’s all about appreciating the culture of drumming and to appreciate our ancestors who work so hard to ensure that our culture doesn’t go into extinction.
“We kick started at Obafemi Awolowo University in collaboration with the Institute of Cultural Studies, where we had workshop and we also have some rehearsals at the palace yesterday, we had drumming processions, which took place from Atiba, Idiaje,Oke itase to pay homage to those representing the ancient people of old who have done so much in ensuring, preserving and promoting our culture.
“His Majesty, Oni of Ife, who is the custodian of the Yoruba culture and traditions, is trying so hard to uphold the culture. We have so many festivals that we do in Ile Ife, we have Ayan Agalu festival, Obatala festival, Moremi Festival, Olojo Festival, so His Majesty is trying so hard by making sure this festival will be portrayed in a way that it won’t go into extinction, because alot of people perceive our festival as festish, they’re not festish, we’re just honoring those who did great things.
“Orisas are human being who did exceptional things and we remember them, when we celebrate them, it’s just to honour them, we don’t worship them, but we remember them and the great things they did when they’re alive”, She emphasized.
In an interview with newsmen, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Prince Adewale Laoye reiterated that the Ayan Agalu festival is meant to revive the Yoruba culture and to preserve it.
“We’re encouraging drumming among children as well, and that’s why we invited children here today, we have children group that are going to play the drum and they’re going to see their Fathers on stage, how they handle talking drum, how to make it talk because to play talking drum is not easy.
“Every Yoruba drums imitate human speech, we want people to know that it’s not only about dancing to drums, we use drums to send messages from one street to another, in fact from one room to another room, before the arrival of GSM.
“We are giving a very big kudos to Baba Oniirisa for putting this one together especially this time of Nigeria in this economy, you can see what he has spent”, he noted.
He, however advised parents and Youths to venture into drumming, adding that there is money in drum.
“We will advise Yoruba children across Nigeria to get involved, you can make money through drumming and with that we can help Nigeria economy”, he advised.
While speaking with newsmen, Omo Oba Adekunle Adeyemo from the House of Oduduwa Foundation, Enuwa, urged the state government to support the Ooni of Ife in upholding the festival and Yoruba culture.
He said, “It’s a potential revenue earner, because drum has so many uses, it talks and you know it’s not about the Goverment alone, the government cannot make money for us all, but when we make money we pay tax and the society will be better for us.
“We’re calling on the state government to support us, support the Ooni Risa, he cannot do it alone. Please support it to make it success, He pleaded.
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