It is critical in life that you do what you know how to do well. And, in the end, it will yield an unparalleled wonderful outcome, as well as a reward. When you see a rooster bubbling at night in Nigeria, it’s said that the rooster has paid its dues. So, for a learning and culture institute whose aim is to enrich African culture, it’s time to honor a culture-driven person who has paid her dues. Surprisingly, this reward is also intended to help conserve a dwindling cultural heritage.
Aralola Olamuyiwa, a pioneer female talking drummer and one of Nigeria’s cultural delights, has been proposed for immortalization by the Natural History Museum Department of Obafemi Awolowo University, one of Nigeria’s most famous universities.
Professor Adisa Ogunfolakan, the Director of the Natural History Museum, proposed the visit, which was eventually held on March 9th after it dragged for nearly three years and was ruled out by the covid-19 after it was scheduled for last year. This came after one of Nigeria’s most esteemed historians, Barrister Olubunmi Obafemi, suggested that the name of ARA be etched in the natural history museum in Ile-Ife. Olawole Olalere, principal management consultant, Horla Consult, who represented American Heritage University of Southern California (USA), saw the significant effect this would have on Nigeria’s dwindling cultural heritage, explored the idea with Professor Ogunfolakan who is also a culture buff.
Ogunfolakan embraced the idea and revitalized it with an exhibition because he was aware of how ARA has consistently worked to promote and develop Nigerian cultures.
Professor Ogunfolakan thanked ARA for preserving the culture and introducing it to the outside world during the visit. He praised ARA’s tremendous success thus far and stated that it is on the basis of this proof that they came up with the idea of exhibiting her.
He went on to say that
you should come to the academic area to serve as an example to the younger ones coming up, especially young girls who believe there is no way where we have a way. So with that, (I told my colleague, Mr Femi Olaleye-Otunla, Head, technical unit, Natural History Museum, Obafemi Awolowo University, that if we encourage the youths who are so focused on money, they will see that you just need to drive some people with a tip of what you have and they will see that they will rule the world as you are ruling the world), we decided that we needed to do something. You should come to the university and perform some acts.
Professor Adisa Ogunfolakan, the Director of the Natural History Museum, OAU and the Drum Goddess ARA
Describing Nigeria’s culture as the best, Professor Ogunfolakan added that
the world is looking for the delights of our culture, we need to let the world know that our cultural heritage is our cultural identity.
Professor Ogunfolakan was told by ARA, who has represented Nigeria at the UNESCO four times, that she is overjoyed and elated about the purpose of their visit, and that her greatest fear is that Nigeria does not harness, appreciate, and maximize what it has as a people of culture.
ARA continued,
Every time I’ve been celebrated, it’s been outside of Nigeria’s borders.” In 2004, I was awarded the key to the city of Miami for being the first female talking drummer. They all stood up on their feet when I finished my performance at the UNESCO. I have also played the African instrument to the Mozart piece, playing Baata, Iya Ilu, and the talking drum. They were taken aback. In 2012, I was appointed Water Ambassador for Africa by Melody for Dialogue Among Civilization Associates in recognition of my contribution to the promotion of Culture and Tourism, and my passion for solutions to waters problems in Africa. I was Decorated in New York and it was attended by the DG’s of UNESCO, UNICEF, UNHABITAT etc.
ARA, whom the Chinese government defines as a legitimate link between China and Nigeria and the rest of Africa if her brand is harnessed, wowed the OAU team and other attendees of the courtesy visit with her incredible culture-driven ideas (some of which include the Drum Temple, where people from all walks of life could come and explore and feel the thrills of the drum, and then the Healing Drum which has to do with mental awareness), that wowed the Chinese government.
After revealing that all the girls playing drums in Nigeria today claim they saw ARA that is why they are playing the talking drum, the drum goddess said
it really inspires me, it brings tears to my eyes. Since they asked me the challenges and I told them, they came, because there was no female talking drummer to imitate when I was starting up then and it came as more of people trying to twist my mind with all sorts of myth and spiritual stuff telling me you can’t do this. But I told myself that if I’m going to break this major traditional jinx, I’m willing to go all out for it. So I went looking for it, and here I am now. Since I also tutor, I tell these girls that they should focus on improving their abilities, especially their intellectual capacity, rather than their sexual capabilities, which will eventually fail them. You must look beyond obstacles such as sexual or gender differences. No one should ever tell you that you can’t do anything because you can. You can do it if you think about it. Sir, what we are about to do with ARA will go a long way toward preserving our heritage. We’re about writing history, so many people’s lives will be touched, and many will reconnect with their cultural heritage. People have lost hope, and, as you correctly said, all they need is someone to lead them, and they will follow.
The drum goddess then shared her experience with the ‘I love my culture’ campaign, which began with a first edition at the Unilag campus, which was funded by Expressions Hair, and a second edition at the Alliance Francais in Ikoyi, with the third edition being halted due to the covid pandemic.
All of this was done so that I could speak to the students about reconnecting with their culture and also to find out what they didn’t like about it. You wouldn’t believe how surprised I was by their cultural awareness, but their fear of it stems from gender inequality. Their concerns centered on that rather than as it is perceived out there. So, sir, you are correct; they simply need a leader, someone to psychologically inspire them, and someone to encourage and motivate them to succeed. So, Professor Ogunfolakan, this is a big step in the right direction, and I must thank you for considering me worthy of being this object of hope, which I plan to use if I am not mistaken. And I hope and pray that the aim towards which this is being carried out will be realized in the lives of not only our youths, but our entire population. Why did I want to work in film production? I decided to start using tourism to promote culture. My film Osunfunke was not released until last week on YouTube’s Yorubahood site, where it has received over a hundred and ninety thousand views in just one week. Now it’s the feedback that make me feel like I’ve accomplished something. The movie was set in Osun state, and all they were saying was that they had no idea there were places like these in Osogbo (the state capital), and they were listing all of the tourism attractions featured in the film. The benefits that culture and tourism will bring to Nigeria are not to be overlooked, but unfortunately, that is exactly what we have been doing. But the Nigerian government, I believe, is looking into it so we are hoping for a change. Thank you again, Professor Ogunfolakan, and I am all for it sir.
ARA, who was overjoyed by the occasion, proudly informed Professor Ogunfolakan that she was the first cultural ambassador for the Ooni of Ife, who had recently organized a training workshop on Adire clothing for about a hundred ladies.
The Drum Goddess ARA entertained with
food and beverages evidencing her being hospitable
Otunba Adebayo, chief executive officer, Multi Print, who was also with the team from OAU, validly listed the absence of proper teaching of the local languages in public schools as a factor leading to the fading of the Yoruba culture of Nigeria.
