Nigerian drums festival: Amosun beats tallest drum to unite Africa

The tourism industry in Nigeria has again received a boost with the celebration of drums in Ogun State. OLAYINKA OLUKOYA who attended the festival reports that the successful hosting of the African Drums Festival, put together by the Ogun State government, was successful in rejuvenating the drumming culture in the South-west, Nigeria and Africa as a whole. 

Culture and tourism has been said to make invaluable contributions to the economic, social and environmental well being of a society and its people. And it is in light of this fact that the State Ministry of Culture and Tourism conceived and birthed the initiative of the “Drums Festival” to develop opportunities in the tourism industry.

The three-day event was an expanded version of the maiden edition tagged “Nigerian Drums Festival” and it was full of glamour, glitz and ovation as different types of drums in diverse sizes and shapes were brought out to entertain people; and drummers and dancers recreated cultural dances and evolved new and unique dance steps to the admiration of the audience that converged on the open pavilion of the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto in Abeokuta.

The festival’s focus, the drum, is an instrument of communication which is an integral part of most communities across the length and breadth of Nigeria and indeed Africa. No fewer than 18 cultural troupes from the states of the federation and different groups from the neighbouring Benin Republic, Ghana, Togo, and Republic of Haiti participated in the festival and observers from Dallas in the United States.

It is a known fact that the African history is not complete without the drum because it is known to an average African from childhood to adulthood as part of social and entertainment life of Africans.

This was confirmed by the highly revered traditional ruler in Yorubaland, the Alafin of Oyo,  Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi,  who maintained that drums are major parts of African culture and that the talking drum is unique to the Yoruba culture.

The monarch, who was one of the dignitaries that graced the grand opening of the Festival, last Thursday, recalled with nostalgia how drums are used to wake up monarch early in the morning, when he lived as a young man at the palace of the Alake of England, before his eventual ascension to the throne of his forebears.

He told the audience that drums are used for different reasons, either to warn, to entertain, to mourn and used more importantly at war fronts to pass information.

“Drums are used to wake traditional monarchs very early in the morning as a form of reminder of their paths to adjudicate among their subjects without fear or favour. They are used as important tools that accompany monarchs and warriors to the warfront as a source from which they draw encouragement and courage as well as telling them whether to advance into battle or withdraw. Drums are equally used to announce the deaths of very important personalities in Yorubaland,” the Alaafin said.

Oba Adeyemi commended the State government for organising the festival in promoting the culture of drumming, adding that it is important that the culture and teachings of the Yoruba forbears be revived so that young ones will be taught their heritage and culture.

Welcoming participants, the state commissioner for culture and tourism, Chief Muyiwa Oladipo, said the focus of the state government to expand the Festival was borne out of the acceptance of the maiden edition which witnessed indigenous drums, musical instruments and superlative drummers.

“This year’s edition termed “the African Drums Festival” is a fulfillment of our Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun vow in reply to the appeal of many dignitaries that graced the maiden edition to expand the scope by making the festival a continental one.

“The festival is bringing together participants from all African countries and all States in our dear country Nigeria to showcase the rich cultural heritage of different ethnic groups in the continent,” he said.

In his remarks, the Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed noted that the festival would promote pan -African unity and increase the African economic trade as well as enhance local value chain benefits.

The minister represented by the Artistic Director of the National Theatre, Comrade Tar Ilori, at the event which had in attendance the Balyesa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, representatives of the Governors of Oyo, Imo and Kastina states, further said that the festival would engender cultural reawakening in Africa on shared values and fraternal solidarity within the region.

Mohammed added that this kind of festival would further invigorate the strides of the government in tourism investment and development, adding that drums symbolises the spiritual and physical manifestation of the essential self recognition and unique control identity.

“The Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is determined to pursue with relentless vigour the diversification of our present mono reliance on an oil sectors like agriculture, solid minerals and tourism. This festival will also promote inter -African leisure travel and the renaissance of our African cultural milestones in contributing towards civilisation,” Mohammed further added.

Also on ground to witness the event were Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun  Gbadebo,  the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi among others.

The state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, said his administration would continue to explore different aspects of the Nigerian culture with view to promoting and preserving them, adding that the festival was a platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the people of the Gateway State and to also stamp Nigeria on the world map.

He said that the festival has come to stay because of the positive effects in the lives of individuals, as a nation and across the continent.

“The celebration of the African Drums Festival is a veritable platform for all drummers and dancers in Africa to showcase their God-given talents through the richness in drumming.  It serves as another unique approach towards reviving our culture by showing to the world the deep rootedness of our heritage and historical background.

“It is undeniable fact that drums and drumming are pivotal to the existence of human life, particularly among Nigerians and, by extension Africans. Whereas drumming in the Western culture is nearly associated with entertainment or a unique musical instrument that beautifies the rhythm of music; in Africa however, drums remain part and parcel of our lives right from the cradle to the grave.

“Drums are potent weapons for communication among the various tribes.  They are often used to signal meetings, like gathering of a town hall meeting; dangers; the beginning and end of war; a prelude to peace; announcing the arrival of prominent visitors among others.

“Aside from their relevance during divinations; festivities; occasions and ceremonies, drums perform socio -economic and spiritual functions. No wonder, they have been described as the first form of telephone,” governor Amosun stated.

Governor Dickson also lent his voice to the fact that the drum is central to African culture and that is symbolic. “We must promote the best of our people and showcase the best of our culture to the world.  I commend the government of Ogun State for organising this festival to unite Nigerians and Africans,” the Balyesa governor added.

Oba Ogunwusi advised other states of the federation to focus on other aspects of the nation’s culture with a view of propagating them, adding that the most important thing that should be done is to make the festival acceptable.

The Ooni expressed his appreciation at the efforts of the Ogun state government in blazing the trail in celebrating drums and promoting tourism.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, the immediate past master drummer of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Mr. Hunpe Hunga, noted that the festival provided opportunity for drummers and dancers to showcase themselves and talents.

Hunga, who led the Gbenopo theatre troupe from Badagry said, “I am happy that Ogun State is hosting this big programme, last year it was Nigeria Drums Festival and this year it is African Drums Festival.

“This Festival is an opportunity for drummers and dancers to showcase themselves and their talents. It is also important for us as drummers to know that all the efforts of practices by drummers in their training are not in vain. I thank God that Ogun is hosting this festival and all Africa are here

“Its significance is that it will promote tourism and boost the economy of the State and the country in general. It should be sustained because it will take Ogun State to the world and they will be reckon with and also Nigeria at large. It has also helped us to have connections with drummers and dancers from other countries,” Hunga concluded.

Also speaking, Yusuff Salas, a dancer from Benin Republic who spoke through an interpreter said, “I am very happy to be in Nigeria to perform my native dance. I believe this will help to promote Africa’s rich culture and drums to the rest of the world”.

“I am happy to see dances and drums from various countries. I am so happy to be here to witness the great cultural heritage of the Nigerian community,” Salas said.

At the end of the festival, the Kano state contingent emerged overall winner of the festival and went home with a cash prize of N3million while Bayelsa and Imo states carted home N2m and N1m respectively as the first and second runner ups at the state category level.

For the international category, the troupe from the Republic of Benin emerged winner and got a cash prize of N5m. they were followed by Togo and Haiti with cash prizes of N3m each and Congo Brazaville going home with a prize of N2m.

In the troupe category, Unique Fingers came first and went home with N3m; Kola Bata came second with N2m prize and Ekemini Troupe from Akwa Ibom won N1m after getting the third position.

The Minister of Information and Culture, who was physically present at the end of the ceremony, said the federal government would continue to support all efforts at preserving the cultural heritage of the nation, adding that the festival is important because of its focus on key aspects of Nigeria’s cultural heritage which had been taken for granted and gradually fading away.

“Drumming is  an aspect of our culture that we must not allow to die or allowed to be overshadowed by the contemporary strain,” he said.

Mohammed who commended Ogun “for brazing the trail by hosting the drums festival” urged d the government to ensure  the sustenance of the programme, adding that the federal government would accord it all the necessary  support.

He urged other states to ensure that they continue to promote the rich cultural heritage of the nation.

Prominent drums which featured at the festival include Gangan (talking drum); Gbedu; Omele; Sekere; Agogo; Saworoide; Dundun; Igba (Cylinder drum); Ogene (gong); Udu (pottery drum) Ekwe (Slit).

Some drums attached to certain deities; Bata which is peculiar to Sango Gangan with Egungun festivals, Sekere to Obatala and Agogo (gong) to Ifa were prominently displayed.

The festival which has become an annual event came to a close amidst glamour and colourful display of diverse and rich cultural heritage of the black people in drums and dances.