The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on Thursday led a lively cultural celebration focused on traditional drumming, aimed at fostering peace, unity, and preserving Yoruba heritage.
The colourful festival, held in the Courtyard of the Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife, drew thousands of cultural enthusiasts, academics, traditionalists, and performers. Among those in attendance were professors from the Departments of Linguistics and Music at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), as well as no fewer than 250 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), students from OAU, and contingents from institutions across the South-West.
In a strong show of support for indigenous talent and creativity, the Ooni awarded a total of ₦4.95 million to the winners of the drumming competition and other cultural performers. The first-place winner received ₦1 million, the second-place ₦750,000, and the third-place ₦500,000.
Additionally, the Ooni donated ₦2 million to performers from the renowned Moremi Ensemble, ₦500,000 to the celebrated drummer Akande Onilu, and ₦100,000 each to two other outstanding drummers.
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Speaking to journalists, Oba Ogunwusi underscored the spiritual and historical importance of the drum in Yoruba cosmology, describing it as both a symbol of identity and a powerful tool of communication.
“The drum holds profound significance in our daily lives. In ancient times, it was used for nearly every purpose, whether to announce joyful news or to signal the threat of war. It was our primary medium of communication,” he said.
The monarch traced the spiritual roots of drumming to Ayangalu, a revered figure in Yoruba tradition.
“The drum is deeply symbolic to the Yoruba. Ayangalu, the originator of the drum, is honoured as one of the 201 deities of Ile-Ife and is spiritually connected to Orunmila. His journey began here in Atiba, Ile-Ife. Though some of his descendants migrated to Oyo and Nupe territories, many remain in Ife. Each year, we honour his legacy through this festival.
“For us, Ayangalu is synonymous with the drum. I drum today for peace, joy, and blessings. Since my youth, I have found fulfilment in preserving this sacred tradition,” the Ooni declared.
Queen Ronke Ogunwusi also praised the Ooni for his continued moral and financial commitment to cultural advancement, both within Ile-Ife and beyond. She acknowledged stakeholders such as Seamans, university lecturers, NYSC members, students, traditional chiefs, and guests for their contributions to the festival’s success.
“This gathering is a celebration of our rich cultural heritage. Ayangalu represents excellence and creativity. I encourage every Yoruba person to take pride in their roots and continue learning from one another. As we enjoy the competition, may it also inspire us to uphold unity and the timeless strength of our tradition,” she said.
Also addressing the gathering, Baale Adekunle Adeite of Ikorodu, Ijebu-Ode, spoke passionately about the uniqueness of Yoruba culture.
He described it as “incomparable” and the most authentic expression of Yoruba identity. He also shared his personal efforts in promoting Yoruba heritage globally.
“For nearly a decade, I have been actively promoting Yoruba culture on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. We also operate radio stations in Texas and Washington, DC that are dedicated exclusively to Yoruba cultural traditions to ensure they never fade away,” he explained.
Baale Adeite further stressed the distinction between culture and religion, and lauded the Ooni for his unwavering commitment to safeguarding Yoruba cultural heritage. He urged Nigerians to preserve the integrity of their traditions for future generations.