The Annual Ayan Agalu Festival, scheduled to take place on Friday, July 28, 2023, is a highly significant cultural event in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
The festival revolves around the historical importance of Ayan Agalu, a Yoruba deity closely associated with the drum. According to tradition, Ayan Agalu descended near Oduduwa at a place called Atiba, which has now become a hub for traditional drummers in Ile-Ife. The festival was initiated by the Arole Oduduwa, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, with the aim of honoring Ayan Agalu and drummers for their exceptional cultural significance.
The Ayan Agalu Festival showcases the expressive and communicative aspects of Yoruba culture through the use of proverbs that are intricately linked to the sounds produced by various types of drums. The festival highlights several drums, including Adade, Bata, Sekere, Sakara, Gangan, Agahu, Dundun, and Djembe, among others. These drums hold immense religious, communicative, and ceremonial importance in African culture, serving as vehicles for worship, means of communication with royalty, and integral components of festive celebrations.
Ayan Agalu is considered the patron deity of drumming in African culture, while it is referred to as Ana in Cuban culture. The drums play a vital role in conveying messages, prayers, religious poetry, announcements, praises for leaders and ancestors, greetings, and even humor. Each sound produced by the drum is regarded as a work of art and beauty, reflecting the spirit of Ayan. It is believed that whenever the drums are played, the Orisa of Drum and Music, Ayan, is present.
The indigenous African religion significantly influences the culture and community of its people. This belief system recognizes the importance of spirits and their connection to ancestors and divinity. Drums play a pivotal role in maintaining this relationship, with each sound carrying significant meaning that speaks the language of Ayan. Music holds profound significance for West Africans, permeating their lives from birth to adulthood. It serves as a form of therapy for humans and serves various important purposes.
In traditional African societies, music is seamlessly integrated into everyday life, beginning from infancy. Children are exposed to music from a young age, using it to soothe them to sleep or calm them when they cry. Mothers play a crucial role in this process, utilizing music and accompanying dance steps to create a rhythmic experience. Children grow up with a natural understanding of music and willingly participate, incorporating various dance steps as they are taught.
According to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Yorubas pioneered the talking drum, with Ayan Agalu descending next to Oduduwa at a place called Atiba in Ile-Ife, from where Oranmiyan went on to establish the Oyo Kingdom. The Yoruba ancestors were often labeled as animists due to their deep connection with them. The Ayan Agalu festival has existed since time immemorial, honoring one of the deities. The drum holds global significance, transcending tribe, color, or race. The entire world has made substantial contributions to the rhythm of the drum.
By celebrating Ayan Agalu, the festival serves as a remembrance of our ancestors and pays homage to them. The Ooni encourages the global Oodua race, particularly the Yorubas, to unite in continuing the celebration of Ayan Agalu, ensuring that the world recognizes the Yoruba origins of the drum. Drumming was a primary means of communication for our ancestors, extending beyond mere entertainment. Even today, Yoruba people employ the drum as a form of communication and a vital instrument for promoting peace and harmony.
According to Queen Aderonke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi, the Ayan Agalu Global Ambassador, the indigenous African religion plays a significant role in shaping the culture and community of its people. The religious beliefs of the African people emphasize the importance of spirits and the connection between ancestors and divinity. This aspect is evident in their religion and their relationship with spirits, often considered as gods and goddesses. It signifies that the relationship between humans and ancestors, or the higher God, remains intact. Each sound produced by the drums holds significance and communicates in the language of Ayan. This highlights the drum’s essential role in songs, prayers, religious poetry, announcements, praise for leaders and ancestors, greetings, and even humor. Music holds a pervasive presence in the lives of West Africans and its value cannot be underestimated. Exploring the various uses of music worldwide, it serves as an essential therapy for humans and serves significant purposes. To traditional Africans, music is synonymous with life itself, starting from birth and continuing through adulthood. Music aids children in finding their place within the culture. Children are considered the carriers of culture and are entrusted with the responsibility of preserving and perpetuating cultural traditions. Singing, dancing, and drumming are taught with an understanding of their cultural significance, ensuring that everyone becomes an active and participatory member of society.
Olori Aderonke , renowned for her involvement in various initiatives such as the Moremi beauty contest in Ile-Ife, the Adire Oodua hub, and the Africa Fashion Week worldwide, Ayan Agalu Ambassador, Her Majesty , Olori Aderonke Ogunwusi is dedicated to promoting the culture and traditions of the Yoruba people on a global scale. She expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “This year’s Ayan Agalu drum festival in Ile-Ife will showcase the very best of our heritage.” The city of Ile-Ife anticipates welcoming tourists from across Nigeria and around the world. Olori emphasized that the culture and traditions of the Yoruba race are alive and thriving.
