Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has made a passionate plea for the preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage, emphasizing that it must not be allowed to fade into extinction.
Speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Sunday, Obasanjo stressed the importance of safeguarding Yoruba culture, which he described as “authentic.”
Obasanjo’s comments came during a celebration marking the 50th birthday of renowned female talking drummer, Olamuyiwa Aralola, popularly known as Ara.
He praised Ara for her efforts in preserving Yoruba cultural heritage through her mastery of the talking drum, a skill traditionally associated with men.
READ ALSO: ‘We’re Going Through Hardship, But Don’t Lose Hope’ – Obasanjo Urges Nigerians
“For whatever reason, we must preserve our culture. Ara is a woman of culture, she is our cultural ambassador, she has lifted our culture and had broken the taboo on what was formerly believed to be exclusively for male gender,” Obasanjo said.
Obasanjo also highlighted the significance of Ifa Orunmila, a Yoruba tradition that predates Christianity and Islam.
“Before Christianity and Islam, we have Ifa Orunmila, meaning ‘Olorun lo mo eni to ma la’—It is Heaven that knows who will be saved,” he explained.
The former President emphasized that preserving African cultural heritage is crucial, as it is being relegated to the background.
“We must not joke with our culture. We are being relegated to the background, our language is being relegated, our food, our dress, and others. We must not allow it. They are things that are authentic. Yoruba is not vernacular,” he added.
via: Information Nigeria
No comments
Post a Comment