Etaghene Edirin
8 November 2009
Famous writer, Thomas Stearns Eliot who is primarily known for his poetry, devoted some significant amount of attention to the matters of civilization and culture. Born in St. Louis, Missouri in the United States of America but emigrated to Britain, he started
In his book, 'Notes towards a definition of culture' that culture may be described simply as that which makes life worth living.
Going by these, it becomes pertinent that Nigerians should take steps to ensure that the old ways of life, values and practices which have held firm for centuries are not simply washed away by ideals and customs which are totally alien to the Nigerian system.
It is for this reason, that the Olokun Festival Foundation has embarked on a series of activities to return Nigerian and African cultures as a means of social re-engineering. Chief among these is the hosting of a number of festivals to celebrate notable deities and occasions in the Yoruba culture.
Aside from hosting cultural fiestas to showcase, promote and preserve indigenous African culture and tradition, some of the festivals are also designed to celebrate the leadership virtues of certain progenitors of the Yoruba race, and the roles they played in the development of the race, country and continent. They also serve as a tourism potentials as a number of people have been known to attend the events from outside the country.
Recently the foundation hosted the Olokun festival 2009. The four-day carnival of sorts began with a visit to the Akran of Badagry, Whenu Aholu Menu Toyi I and prayers to the Olokun deity. This was followed by the Olokun Beauty Pageant which held at the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. Miss Orimogunje Funmilayo a graduate from the Ogun-state University who emerged winner of the Miss Olokun Beauty Pageant was presented with a prize of a brand new KIA Picanto car.
Unlike previous editions of the festival however, organizers of the fiesta in a bid to pursue its cultural renaissance drive had staged different events and activities leading up to the grand fiesta. These included a Yoruba quiz competition, beach football and an art exhibition (Ayo-Olopon). Other highpoints included the Boat Regata at Marine Sea-side, Badagry a street carnival festival float, Royal Nite, live-band performance and film screening.
The grand finale, and climax of the activities for the festival was held at the serene Suntan Beach, Badagry, Lagos, with display of cultural dances and stunts. Despite the heavy downpour that heralded the event, visitors and participants were not deterred as the festival went on smoothly. The event attracted significant number of people and traditional rulers from different parts of the country as well as tourists from abroad.
Traders and merchant of souvenirs took the opportunity offered by the event to make quick bucks in the sales of items ranging from cultural memorabilia to food, beverages, telephone recharge cards, among others, the pockets of performances outside the main arena turned the entire event into a bazaar of sort. Doting coconut trees around the expansive beach turned the festival into remarkable picturesque spectacle.
There were also various dance companies from several parts of Nigeria and other parts of West African such as Republic of Benin, Ghana and Ivory Coast, adorning colourful costumes. Among the troupes were traditional dancers from Ondo, Edo, Olokun Dancers, the Zamgbeto dance from Ghana, Igunuko, Gelede and Agemo dancers from Lagos, Republic of Benin and Togo in that order. Other were the Sango dancers and 'fire eaters 'as well as magical stunts by a group from Cote D'voire, among others.
In his address at the event, chief promoter of the Olokun Festival Foundation, Otunba Gani Adams called on Africans to find solutions to their challenges by looking inwards. He said they should also beware of people who are embarking on the dastardly campaign of cultural genocide because they want to distance the continent from its roots and suppress it forever.
Adams, a leader of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), noted that this year's theme, "Exploring the ideals of African culture for positive social change," was chosen for its significance. According to him, the theme means that the best features of the African culture should be used to develop and promote social wellness in Africa.
"It is a fact that we Africans, particularly the youths and adolescents are having a crisis of identity. Many of our youths are desperately trying to copy everything foreign and Western. They have made a great move with the skin-toning or bleaching that used to be in vogue in the past wit zeal to mimic everything western - the dressing, language and even the social beliefs and value systems," he said.
Chief Adams noted that the efforts of the Olokun Festival Foundation at organising the event yearly, is to rekindle awareness and build confidence in young Africans about their cultural roots. He looked back to what the festival has achieved since inception and noted that the effort has not been in vein.
Adams who is also noted that the best features of the African culture should be used to develop and promote her weebeing.
"This theme has been the pivot of many pleas and suggestions that, we, of the Oodua People's Congress have repeatedly voiced out in the past as a genuine solution to the crisis of cultural identity -that has been our lot in Nigerian societies 'and indeed the African continent as a whole", he said.
For Otunba Adams, the response that greeted Olokun Festival 2009 has underscored its awareness and relevance as a major tourism attraction.
Eminent broadcaster and producer, Ambassador Segun Olusola described the Olokun Festival as capable of establishing itself as a rallying point for different West African cultures.
Guest speaker, Asabere-Ameyaw, vice-chancellor, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, in his paper stressed the significance of culture to the survival of the people, especially in promoting peace and in curtailing corruption.
"The need to protect our environment, and especially our waters, through African cultures, from pollution is of utmost importance. According to my grandmother and mother, our ancestors did not have the police force neither did they have the forest guards or sanitary inspectors who went round to see that our forests and woodlots were protected from vandalisation. There were no paid officials to make sure that the sea and other water bodies and their environment were not polluted with garbage or human waste. But our ancestors were able to keep our towns and villages very clean and hygienic for human habitation".
The event also attracted key cultural icons such as Prof. Akinwunmi Ishola, Alagba Adebayo Faleti, Ekundayo Adele Ifamuregun, Brazilian-born Olokun Priestess and Prof Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw, Vice-Chancellor, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana among others.
A major highlight was the assemblage of royal fathers who were hosted by Oba Akran of Badagry. Some of the royal fathers included Oba of Port Novo, Benin Republic, Representative of Alafin of Oyo, Aseyin of Iseyin, Zaki of Arigidi among others.
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