Ogun and significance of drums festival By Ademola Orunbon

The drum has always played supporting roles in major festivals as it has never had its own festival, but recently, the cultural instrument took the centre stage in what was tagged, ‘’ First Nigerian Drums Festival’’. And as it turned out to be, for the first time drummers from 36 states of the federation and beyond gathered at the ancient city of Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital for the maiden edition of the Nigerian drums festival now renamed African drums festival.

The festival which was described as a force that binds Africans together lived up to its bidding as from the first day, 19th of April when the festival was declared open by the Executive Governor of the State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. Right from the time of the unveiling of the tallest drum till 22nd when the festival ended, there was no dull moment as the participants demonstrated some of those things that made Africa great before the civilization wiped them away.

It was a rich display of the cultural heritage of Africans and discovery of talents as cultural troupes from various parts of the country dressed in colourful costumes took their turns to perform to the admiration of the audience. The drummers really shook the entire city and Africans living and even the dead woke up to the reverberating sounds from the drums.

The festival witnessed electrifying performances of some of the best examples of drum bands in Nigeria. It also saw the unveiling of what was declared the world’s tallest drum which stands 16 and 17ft from the ground. Apart from the colour and fanfare that characterized the opening ceremony, there are many other lessons that can be learnt from it. The event saw almost all the Obas sitting together. There were also ambassadors of countries from all over the world to witness the event. One point that kept resonating from the entire goodwill message delivered at the event was that art is capable of unifying the world.

Almost all the performances at the event featured female performers whose dexterity on drums equaled that of any male drummers. The state troupe, described as Amosun singers opened with performance of the National Anthem, an ensembles of talking drums. The troupe also performed the state’s anthem, Ise ya, Omo Ogun Ise ya, Ise e Maa Yaa oo, Omo Ogun Ise yaa, featuring ladies on the drums. The first performance after the opening prayer was by Aanu. Aanu, a female Ekwe player led a band of male and female drummers to get the audience singing to the rhythms of her ekwe, a wooden percussion with origins from eastern Nigeria.

Unique fingers performed after Aanu. Unique fingers featuring about 10 females out of the total 40 drummers on stage showed that women can play any drums just like men. Aralola, one of the best female talking drum players in Nigeria also took the stage, accompanied with a xylophone to thrill the audience. Olobata also came to the stage to show the world that what a man can do on drums, a woman can do the same perhaps better. Even the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) drama group that performed last featured female drummers.

One of the highpoints of the events was when Aralola played the cover of Olamide’s Eleda mi ooo, on the talking drum accompanied with a xylophone. The audience became ecstatic, singing along. If late Hubert Ogunde was alive, his records may still get to the music chart, because when the band of late thespian led by one of his protégé came to the stage at the opening ceremony, the reception was surprisingly warm. People, including the state governors and the monarchs sang along.

The state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun who unveiled the two drums, Isokan and Saatagaa described the festival as a cultural reawakening to connect to our roots, as well as a platform to glorify that which connects us as Africans. He said the festival is also an opportunity to learn more about dance steps of the people, describing Ogun State as a cultural haven. He declared that from today ‘’we will not just call it the Nigerian drums festival, but the Africa drums festival’’ added that drums are the sensual parts of the African race and our day to day experiences as Africans are measured on improvement of ourselves and drums.

Amosun in his speech stated that apart from the entertainment value, drums are also part of our spiritual health and it is therefore not wrong to say that drums are drawing a similar part in our culture. ‘’ Beating the drum is a matter of awakening us to our rich cultural heritage; that is all what the festival is all about. If there is anything to take away from the festival, it is the need for cultural re-awakening in various states, genuine social economic and political development. The festival was indeed the first of its kind and the government used it as an opportunity to announce the Ogun State as a cultural and tourism ground. Tourists should not just to pass through the state, but allow the state to pass through you as you will not regret doing that,’’ Amosun said.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Otunba Muyiwa Oladipo said culture and tourism make invaluable contributions to the economic, social and environmental well-being of a society and its people, added that in Nigeria this sector is unique in its commercial and cultural significance and has the political to contribute to every state’s economy while enabling Nigerians to explore their heritage and celebrate their cultural diversity.

The Commissioner said the 16ft tall drum has a symbolic relevance to Ogun and the Ifa heritage and that with the numerous heritage sites and festival, Ogun should qualify as cultural capital of Nigeria. He noted that our culture is dying and the festival is part of efforts at reviving it. Drum is universal to all mankind and as such it is central.

The four-day event attracted front lined custodians of culture and traditions such as His Imperial Majesty Adeyeye Babatunde Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV, the Alake of Egbaland, Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, the Paramount ruler of Yewaland. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammad represented by Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation, Dr. Barclays Ayakorama, Director General National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Mrs. Dayo Keshi, Director General Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo and CEO of La Campagne Tropicana, Mr. Wale Akinboboye among others.

Also at the event were Ambassadors of six African countries to Nigeria- Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana, Senegal and Zambia.

His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Babatunde Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, stressed the critical role of heritage in governance dating back to pre-colonial Nigeria, noting that before the amalgamation of Nigeria there has been governance which was driven by heritage and tradition. He said there is a strong binding force-drum which is common to all Africans as well as the dress culture. The Nigerian drum festival, he said is a strong binding force and we should not joke with it. This will reflect in the nation and continent as witnessed by the presence of Africans and Ambassadors at the festival.

What the drum festival has demonstrated is the fact that every state in Nigeria has cultural products around which cultural industries could be built in a such a way that it becomes a win-win situation for everybody especially in terms of incoming generation for the grassroots, it is also imperative to ensure the preservation and sustainability of our rich cultural heritage. What was bequeathed to us, we must preserve and pass on to our children.

****Orunbon writes from Federal Housing Estate Olomore, Abeokuta, Ogun State