Culture is the way of life, ideas and beliefs of a particular society. Yoruba culture is one that significantly stands out among all other cultures. It explains the significance of unity, togetherness, peace and love. In a quest to rekindle the fire of culture in everyone, part two students of Obafemi Awolowo University, took everyone down memory lane, back to the days of our fathers.
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As part of the grading system for Part Two students offering Yoruba 213, Introduction to Yoruba Culture, an oral presentation took place at the popular Dramatic Arts pit theatre on the 31st of January. In attendance were lecturers from the Department of Linguistics and African Languages namely: Dr Adeola Faleye, Prof Ajibade Dr Akinwunmi and others
The event started with Osun worshippers eulogizing the sea goddess. The students performed exceedingly well as they chanted and praised the sea goddess, while also entertaining with their sleek dance steps.
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It is a common tradition among the Yoruba tribe to send a young maiden to her husband’s house with glee. This usual practice back in the day is known as Ẹkun Iyawo. This old tradition was revived to remind students, and the society at large of the splendour and pride of marriage in Yorubaland.
The Ẹkun Iyawo is a ceremony whereby the wife-to-be bids her parents, friends and siblings farewell, noting that she had no choice but to leave for her husband’s house, even though she doesn’t want to leave. Here, the bride seeks prayers from both parents before finally leaving her house. In the same way, part two students did a wonderful performance with the Ẹkun Iyawo. The bride enchanted the audience with her speaking skills as she praised her parents’ family while seeking their blessings. The drummers became possessed with the spirit of drumming and the dancers, in turn, danced like drunken, excited fellows with their feet barely touching the ground.
Sango worshippers came up next and portrayed the ancient ways in which the Powerful Sango deity, the god of thunder, was worshipped. Not only the worshippers but also Sango himself, acted by Owa Damilare, performed several magical acts, defining the relevance of Sango and his Powers. Among the powerful deities of Yoruba land is the Ifa, which is regarded as the messenger of Eledumare, and was also acted by the students.
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Death, they say is unavoidable, we are all indebted to death. Sadness, tears and wailings enfolded as the students mourned the passing away of an Icon, Akinwunmi Isola, a playwright and novelist who died in 2018. Oku pipe is another traditional event in Yoruba land. It’s a time dedicated to mourning and grieving the passing away of an individual in society. The students made an emotional performance as they captured the audience with their shaky voices, long faces and tears.
Afterwards, hunters performed like they used to do before civilization enveloped the whole world. The hunters came together to show a mind-blowing scene, as they performed Ijala Sísun. It is a means of relaxation after a long and tiring hunting period. Ijala Sísun is usually enjoyed with merriment to ease the hardworking men of pain and stress.
The audience thought the entertainment was over until they were once more left in awe as another group performed the Eyo dance. The Eyo dance which is performed by the Eyo Masquerades during the Eyo festival which is an annual celebration in Lagos state, also known as the Adamu Orishá play, is unique in Yoruba land. The dancers moved their bodies rhythmically to the beat of the drumsticks furiously lashing on the drums.
It is vital to note that despite technological advancements, culture is a thing that can never be forgotten or swept aside. One of the most famous Yoruba festivals that can and should not be forgotten is the Egungun festival. After the amazing performance of the Eyo group, the last group presentation took place.
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The Egungun presentation revealed more about the practices of the Yoruba people. Some rules governing the Egungun were made known through the songs, chantings and acts.
In all, the students, to the best of their abilities, not minding their religion, or ethnicity displayed like professionals in their quest to secure an A. Not only was the audience entertained, but learnt more about the Yoruba culture at large, while noting the conspicuousness of culture and tradition in our contemporary world.