THE cultural affinity between the Yoruba of the Western part of Africa and their descendants in the Disapora especially in Brazil and Cuba in South America came to fore recently as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi in his quest to revive the dying culture of Yoruba organised a lecture about Yoruba culture in the diaspora.
The lecture which had in attendance Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke, represented by Professor Tunde Babawale, Director – General, Centre for Black Art and Africa Commission , Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Princess Adeyemi Adetutu Ahigbe, Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Hugo Rene and wife, Australia High Commissioner, Mr John Richardson, Representative of World Bank Mrs Caroline Sage, traditonal rulers and traditionalists among others created an avenue for people to be more enlightened about African value and culture and equally have regards for Africans in diaspora for sustaining their primordial culture despite their being grafted away from their root.
The guest lecturer, Professor Fabio Lima from Bahia University, Brazil in his lecture explained that the Yoruba philosophy remained alive in the new world and the philosophy of Yoruba tradition is about building a life with a set of guidelines that enhance the day to day lives of the people which is incorporated into their ways of life of living in the new worlds such as Cuba, Brazil and others.
He said further that, “In Brazil, the full essence of the Yoruba philosophy is within the culture , which focuses on the Orisas through the myth, heroes of civilizations by engaging in the projects of solving the problems of inter-faith concerning issues of work, money, health and sex.”
Professor Lima while speaking on the relevance of Sango in Brazil said,” Sango is the patron of the farm, Opo Afonja and Oriki greeted with a magical revealing of his character.” Adding that” there had been much talked about preserving Sango more than preserving the Orisas.We also seek to guard vigilantly, the wisdom of the ancestors who were here and arrived in Brazil, Cuba and other parts and even as slaves who preserved their dignity and left a great legacy to the West. Beyond the language and customs to their faith in God, Orisa, all seeing and torching and all that dwells within each of us in our head.”
The Bahia graduate of Ethics and Africa Studies, however urged custodians of Black African culture to ensure total preservation of the Yoruba culture saying” we Brazilians respect and love this deep knowledge of the Yoruba tradition which has a lot to give to humanity. Yoruba nation, be proud of your culture and preserve it.
Foreign contributors including Cuban Ambassador, Hugo Rene Ramros Milanes, Madam Dela Obika, Trinidad and Tobago,and Australia High Commissioner John Richardson who spoke at the event expressed dissatisfaction the rate at which Yoruba cultural values and norms are gradually fading away and called for co-operation with Alaafin of Oyo in his painstaking effort at restoring and preserving Yoruba culture.
Also, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Duke in his remarks complimented the guest lecturer, saying that Yourba culture is highly valued in the disapora, he spoke on their belief in Ifa and the role Mama Babayana played just like Iya Osun and Ifa worshippers who were believed to be among the holy people in Yourbaland.
The minister who was represented by Prof Babawale, harped extensively on the need to protect culture and languages in Nigeria.” We have to protect our culture as it preaches morals and help the society to grow without any menace or crisis.”
He, however, lauded Alaafin for his contribution to the cultural development in Nigeria and assured continuous support for the royal father and other cultural inclined people who are working towards ensuring that our culture does not go into extinction.
Also, the Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Princess Adetutu Adeyemi Ahigbe assured the people of Oyo State of the commitment of Governor Ajimobi-led administration to promote culture and tourism in the state.
While conferring the Cultural Ambassador of Oyo Empire title on Dr Paula Gomez, the Alaafin of Oyo said “he decided to honour Dr Gomez because of the passion she demonstrated in promoting Yoruba cultures and values. While the duo of Madam Caroline Sage of World Bank and Madam Maril Carolino of Portuguese Embassy were honoured with an award for their commitment to the propagation of Yoruba culture.
