Home AFRICAN STORY Obasanjo Advocates For African Culture As He Celebrates Female Drummer Ara

Obasanjo Advocates For African Culture As He Celebrates Female Drummer Ara

by InlandTown Editor
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OBASANJO

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed respect for *Ifa*, the Yoruba divination system, emphasizing its deep roots in Yorubaland long before the arrival of Christianity and Islam.

Obasanjo made this statement on Sunday during a luncheon he organized to celebrate the 50th birthday of renowned female drummer, Aralola Olamuyiwa, popularly known as Ara. The event took place at the Green Legacy Resort within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Addressing the audience, Obasanjo underscored the importance of preserving African cultural heritage, which he said has been relegated in favour of foreign influences. “Culture is the totality of who we are. Unfortunately, we have relegated some of our culture to the background—our food, language, dress, and so on,” he noted.

The former president further defended the significance of *Ifa* and Orunmila, the deity of wisdom and divination in Yoruba culture. “I am a Christian; I have been to two churches today. But whoever says *Ifa* Orunmila is nothing must be a bloody fool because Orunmila has been with us before the advent of Christianity or Islam,” Obasanjo stated.

Obasanjo also shared the reason behind celebrating Ara, acknowledging her groundbreaking achievements in a traditionally male-dominated field. He reminisced about his childhood, noting that women were historically excluded from climbing palm trees or drumming, but Ara’s determination has changed the narrative.

“With her tenacity and focus, Ara has broken this taboo. She is now known worldwide as a drummer, outperforming even the men. She is helping to sustain our cultural heritage, and that is why I decided to celebrate her, to further encourage her to keep up the good work,” he said.

The former president also used the opportunity to inspire young people, urging them to excel in their chosen fields. “Whatever good your hands find to do, do it well, and I will celebrate you. The lesson here is that nothing is unimportant in every area of human endeavour,” he concluded.

The event was a blend of culture, celebration, and a call to action for the preservation of African traditions, with Ara standing as a testament to the power of resilience and cultural pride.

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