Yoruba culture must be preserved -Alaafin
YORUBA
culture is adjudged to be the best in the world, but the rate at which
the glory of the cultural values and tradition is fading away is
becoming alarming and reason some concerned stakeholders from the tribe
are working to ensure its promotion and preservation.The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi in his effort to rescue the culture and tradition of the Yoruba has been organising series of platform in this direction not only in Yorubaland but across the tribes and beyond the shores of Nigeria.
Working alongside with Iku Baba Yeye’s vision is the royal ambassador to Alaafin, Aare Ayandotun Ayanlakin who has also been moving around preaching the need to promote and preserve Yoruba culture.
Ambassador Ayanlakin does not only preach the gospel, but acts according to the tradition as he always move about clad in complete Yoruba attire, (Agbada and fila) and beads to demonstrate what he represents.
In his effort to corroborate Alaafin’s effort, Aare Ayanlakin recently visited some Emirs in Bauchi State including the Emir of Ningi, Alhaji Dan’Yaya among others during which they talked on the need for cultural integration between the Yorubas and Hausas, based on the long existing relations between the duo.
Explaining his mission in the North, Aare Ayanlakin said, “As the Royal Ambassador to Alaafin, I am to promote the interest of Alaafin and ensure the realisation of his vision and dream for his fatherland.
“So my journey to the North was necessitated by the need to complement the effort of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adeyemi in promoting Yoruba culture beyond the borders and ensure cultural integration between the two tribes.
“While in Bauchi, I worked on the existing relationship between the tribes by visiting personalities and Emirs in the state. I also assured them of the safety of their wards in Yorubaland.
“The result of my visit has begun manifesting as the Bauchi State governor, Alhaji Isa Yuguda recently visited the Alaafin to show love for the Kabiyesi and Yoruba people entirely.”
Speaking on the need to preserve and promote Yoruba culture, Aare Ayanlakin said, “If tradition is properly observed, there will be less corruption and immoralities in the land.
“The culture preaches peace, sanity and good life, but the advent of western culture has damaged the real Yoruba culture and tradition and the only solution is for us to follow the tradition.”
He added further that “Yoruba culture didn’t say we should not blend with modernity, but we should do it in such a way that our cultural values and tradition will not be mutilated.”
“We have been working to ensure that our culture does not die and I want to urge all sons and daughters of Yoruba both at home and in the Diaspora to see the need to promote our cultural values. We have a very rich culture which if well preserved will sanitise our society of all forms of criminal activities and corruption.”
