The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oodua, Kabiyesi Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has given his official endorsement to the Ayan Agalu Drum festival in Brazil. As the highest spiritual authority in Yoruba land, he announced the Brazil edition of the Ayan Agalu festival for the year 2024, in collaboration with Ancestral Axis, a Brazil-Nigeria communication outlet.
Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi, the global ambassador of the Ayan Agalu festival and Queen of Ife, expressed that the Yoruba king’s endorsement aims to extend the festival’s reach to honor the Yoruba deity of drums worldwide. She praised Brazil’s cultural and traditional environment, considering it a fitting host that represents Yoruba land in diaspora. Olori Aderonke Ogunwusi also appreciated the collaboration of Ancestral-Axis towards the historical event in Brazil
The Ayan Agalu festival, which recently took place in Ilê Ife, is an annual celebration that pays homage to the Yoruba deity of drums.
Held in Ile-Ife on July 28, 2023, the event witnessed the presence of dignitaries, including His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Kabiyesi Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Oba Ajibade, the Alaketu of Ketu kingdom, Olori Mojisola, and several other Yoruba kings.
The upcoming Brazil edition is scheduled for the middle of next year, 2024, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Anticipated to gain considerable traction, the festival is set to make a significant impact in a country where Yoruba culture and religion continue to thrive.
According to Arole Oodua, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi: “Àyàn Àgalù holds a vital place among the deities that Olodumare sent to the planet earth for the progress, development, and happiness of mankind. He consulted the Oracle through Orunmila, the deity of divination, seeking guidance on how to be perpetually honored, wealthy, and celebrated among people and other deities. The divination revealed essential Ifa lines, including Ose Ologbon (Ose lotun, Oturupon losi), Okanran lotun, Ogunda Meji, Ifa Amulumola (Okanran kangun, kange, Okanran kange, Kangun), where Ifa instructed AyanAgalu to make various sacrifices using materials like sticks, skin, and drum belts. These sacrificial tools have remained integral to drumming ceremonies until today.
The Oduduwa race, credited with pioneering drumming and music, was endowed by the Almighty Olodumare. In recognition of this development, deities began inviting Ayanagalu to their ceremonies, as he possesses the unique ability to entertain them. AyanAgalu’s presence at their events, his drumming tools, and singing contribute to the uplifting atmosphere, as earlier divined.
Historical records consistently demonstrate that the Oduduwa race always takes a leading role in celebrations and ceremonies, primarily because AyanAgalu belongs to this cherished heritage.”
