The gigantic Ori-Olokun cultural edifice, the head of the Goddess of the sea, mother of fertility and prosperity, was commissioned  at Mayfair Roundabout, Ife Central Local Government in Osun state by the state governor, ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. The occasion, which attracted culture enthusiasts and stakeholders, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade and NADECO Chieftain, General Alani Akinrinade, was explored as a rallying point for Yoruba cultural and traditional rennaisance. BANKOLE SHAKIRUDEEN ADESHINA, reports.

As early as 8am, participants had been converging at the venue of the event, which was scheduled for 10am. Many were decked in native attires while others were in vests with various inscriptions. They arrived early to secure vantage positions for viewing the activities of the day.

The event last Saturday at the Mayfair Roundabout in Ife Central Local Government of Osun State, was for a three-dimensional purpose: celebration of an enduring cultural heritage; examination of the major factors responsible for the erosion of Yoruba’s ‘rich’ cultural heritage, especially by Western civilisation and the manifestation of one of the political promises made by the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

The occasion was the commissioning of the gigantic Ori-Olokun edifice, the Head of the Yoruba Goddess of the Sea. The multi-million-naira project was put together by the Executive Secretary of Ife Central Local Government, Mr. Taiwo Olaiya , as part of his commitment to the preservation and promotion of Yoruba cultural heritage and identity.

Ori-Olokun is a cultural treasure lost during the ancient wars of conquest, but reportedly recovered in 1910 in Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba race, by a group of archaeologists, led by a German explorer, Leo Frobenius. The sculpture discovered in a pure copper form, buried in a palm grove, was wonderfully cast in sophisticated antique bronze that amazed many art historians.

According to oral tradition, Olokun, was the first to treat infertility with water and herbs and all newly-married ladies were expected to undergo some ritual therapies for fertility from her. Besides, the ‘goddess’ was reputed to have introduced the art of bead-making to Ile-Ife, with her central business location at Irebami area of he ancient town.

The event attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, including the Governor of the State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, his commissioners and assistants; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade; a NADECO chieftain and the 1967 civil war veteran, General Alani Akinrinade; President, Oranmiyan Worldwide, Prince Felix Awofisayo among others.

Besides its cultural significance, the unveiling of the Ori-Olokun also signified something more special:  the inseparable bond between some Yorubas and their cultural origin.

Besides assembling almost five hours before the actual take-off of the programme, culture enthusiasts, residents and political stalwarts of the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria(CAN) in the state, were united in support for the occasion, defying the scorching sun.

But the waiting was soon forgotten, thanks to the numerous cultural troupes and independent drummers who added glamour and glitz to the event.

As each group took its turn to entertain, the audience soon unburdened, smiling and dancing. Amidst this, the proverbial message of the eulogy exponents and drummers were clear: it was time for Yorubas and Africans in general to arise and shine and reclaim the glorious positions ‘we’ were destined and designed for.

This assertion was encapsulated in the final verse of the state’s anthem:  Omo odua dide; Bosi ipo eto re; Iwo ni imole gbogbo adulawo. (Arise you sons of  Oduduwa; claim your rightful status, you are the lightbearers for the Black race)

This electrifying  message was further reinforced in the proverbial expressions of the numerous praise-signers and drummers, who used talking-drum and eulogies to invoke the sense of obligations and responsibility on Yoruba sons and daughters. The entertainers also celebrated the wisdom of the Yoruba progenitor, the deities and other heroes who were moral authorities and agents of peace and development.

Indeed, the appeasement by the Sango and Ifa worshippers, imploring all terrestrial creatures in the entire Yoruba race to allow and assist the Yoruba race and the entire black continent bounce back to glory and prosperity.

In his remarks, Aregbesola, canvassed renewed commitment from the Yoruba leaders and the entire race towards the sustainable  preservation, promotion and development of its  cultural heritage.

The governor described as the fraud of the millennium, claims by the British colonialists that Africa and its people are culturally primitive and worthless, reinterating that, for instance,  the discovery of the Ori-Olokun and the sophistication of its art, was testimony of the unmatched professionalism of African forebears.

According to him,  “Africans are not illiterates; we are not unintelligent...Our race was the first to be civilised, we were a continent with most knowledgeable people, driven by wisdom, morals, organisation and justice...   But today, we are far worse than … we were yesteryears. How we got here, we can’t just fathom!”   He therefore challenged sons and daughters of the Yoruba race across the world to return to their origin by allowing the ethics and spirit of the tribe to guide their general conduct.

In his short remark, Akinrinade said it was time for Yoruba elders to lead a campaign of cultural rebirth, which he hoped would eventually rescue its cultural heritage and tradition from the brink of extinction.     According to him, “we are all, especially the elder enjoined to renew our commitment towards promoting the culture and tradition to it deserved pride of place. This task requires genuine commitment from all of us...“ he said.

Speaking with The Guardian, the state Commissioner for Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Sikiru Ayedun, said the cultural significance of the Ori-Olokun sculpture, especially to Yoruba people, is reflected in  one of the appelations of the ‘deity,’ which is the “god of fertility and prosperity”.

According to him, ´´Besides, this statue is the beginning of technological innovation across the world. The discovery of the sculpture is a manifestation of the fact that African leaders have advanced far ahead the Europeans in technological innovations. And this calls for deeper reflection and renewed commitment by everyone to invest in the culture and tourism infrastructure across the country. We can make culture and tourism the major backbone for our economy with the right investment in the sector,’’ he added.

In his speech, the initiator of the Ori-Olokun bust, Olaiya, said the invasion of the country and the entire continent  by British colonialists was responsible for the disruption in the flow of developmental progress in the continent.

He recalled that long before British civilisation, it was one of the prominent activities in the continent to plate hair, pierce and tatoo the body.  He explained that after the invasion of the colonialists, they forcefully declared “our brilliant and coordinated way of fashion and cultural identity as primitive and worthless! But today, this is a culture in their front burner.“

Olaiya said the erection of the Ori-Olokun bust was an inspiration he got from his recent trip to Rio De Jenerio, Brazil where the statue occupied a prominent and central location.