The annual Samodun Festival held in Ibadan at the weekend reunites artistes and cultural promoters from South-West states, AKEEM LASISI writes
Traditional rulers, artists, government officials and many indigenes sought to reinvent the cultural glory of the Yoruba people over the weekend when the Samodun Festival was held in Ibadan, Oyo State capital. Apart from being the capital of the old Western region, Ibadan was once the hub of cultural activities that cut across the literary, dramatic and musical. The fanfare that thus characterised the festival brought to the memory of many participants echoes of the golden days.
Organised by the state government, with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism – headed by Mrs. Adetutu Adeyemi; Akhigbe, a daughter of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyem, as the anchor, the festival featured cultural performances, musical show and a food exhibition. The event brought cultural troupes from all Yoruba states together, in a way that not only encouraged competition but showed that the South-West governors talking about regional integration have to explore culture and tradition in the scheme.
It saw various troupes from Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, Lagos and Kogi States dish out different kinds of metaphoric songs and dances. But the loud proverb on the mind of the host state was that of Ai moo jo ni j’alejo o jo – It is only an amateur host that totally yields the stage to visiting dancers. It also thus rolled out its drums in all aspects of the festival. No wonder, it (Oyo) came first in the cultural parade competition, while Kwara and Ekiti States picked the second and third prizes, respectively.
While the food exhibition held at the Cultural Centre, Mokola also showed the potential to energise farmers and food sellers, the climax of the festival was arguably the O le Ku Night held at the Civic Centre, Agodi on Friday night. With movie stars such as Jide Kosoko, Dele Odule, Muyiwa Ademola, Saheed Balogun, Ronke Osodi Oke, Abiodun Ayoyinka (Papa Ajasco) and Kayode Oyinbo in attendance, it was a viable excuse to display traditional attires and enjoy indigenous music.
On stage were Ibadan-based Fuji act, Rasheed Ayinde (Fuji Merenge); Apala singer, Musiliu Haruna Ishola and Tilaman, all of who tried to give a good account of themselves.
More than pursuing any other subject, Merenge lavishly sang the praise of the Alaafin – especially based on the ancestry of Adeyemi-Akhigbe. Indeed, some stakeholders from other towns would be right if they grew jealous that night as the Alaafin heritage dominated the stage.
Interestingly, Oba Adeyemi, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel. Odulana Odugade ; Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade, and several other traditional rulers witnessed the opening ceremony of the Samodun Festival.
Towards making the next festival grand, the organisers need to start planning early enough. Festivals, nay tourism, are not a joke. They are a serious business fetching several countries billions in hard currencies.
The Oyo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism should remove any issue that will not let it begin preparation for the next edition on time. Of course, this include a dispute between it and a consultant with which it organised the festival last year. The ministry should also create more awareness so that more people within and outside the state will want to be part of it. Festivals are about people, as the example of the Calabar Festival/Carnival, where people participate massively, has shown. And, as is the case with the Osun Osogbo, once indigenes and other residents buy into it, outsiders will eventually be eager to be part of it.
Concrete efforts should also be made to integrate children/pupils/students into the spirit of Samodun. By doing so, the Oyo State government would be securing its future in a way that the Calabar Carnival has been able to do. What Adeyemi-Akhigbei should also do to achieve this is to tap the many creative and professional resources that abound in the state. Observers say the Samodun Festival is a good idea and one can only hope that it will get bigger and better next year. The commissioner’s enthusiasm during the festival was also encouraging.
On the essence of the O Le Ku Night, Adetutu-Akhigbe said it aimed at recreating the cultural glory of the people.
She said, “ As a pace setter , we are determined to champion the cause of taking Yoruba culture and tradition to a higher level. It is obvious that we Yoruba are losing the legacies of our forefathers through the overbearing influence of western culture, but we can no longer continue to fold our arms.”
Governor Ajimobi also assured the people that the feast would not be a flash in the pan. According to him, the Samodun Festival gave his administration an opportunity to score another point in promoting the culture and tradition of Yorubaland. He noted that it was another fruitful step towards enhancing the regional integration agenda.
“The concept of Omoluabi, which has been the major guiding principle of Yoruba people is being restored through the promotion of cultural festival sand enlightenment programmes like this,” he said. “Everything about Yoruba is unique. Our dressing, food, traditions and everything about us are fantastic and that is why people from other part of the world are coming to learn them because they consider them useful and crucial to living a good life.”
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