Why we’re showcasing Yoruba culture in America —Oloye Lekan Alabi

Oloye Lekan Alabi is an Ibadan high chief and cultural enthusiast. In this interview with Adewale Oshodi, he speaks on the ongoing Yoruba Cultural Exchange Festival and Awards in Chicago, USA and how the event will boost the Yoruba culture on the world stage. Excerpt:

The first Yoruba Cultural Exchange Festival and Awards is currently being held in Chicago, United States of America, what is the whole idea about?

The event is to take the Yoruba culture to the world. The idea was conceptualised two years ago when we went to show the new Moremi film produced by Chief (Mrs) Abiodun Duro-Ladipo, the famous Moremi and wife of the late Duro Ladipo. Their son, Oluwole and his family reside in Dallas, Texas, USA, where the film was premiered. I was the chairman and guest speaker during the premiere. Wole, on his part, holds an annual Yoruba festival in Texas, so the people who attended the premiere suggested we expand the scope of the festival, and that was how the ongoing Yoruba Cultural Exchange Festival and Awards came to be. We started on Wednesday, September 4 and it will end on Sunday, September 8. The general idea is to let the world see the beauty of the Yoruba culture and tradition. We are exhibiting Yoruba dresses, food, drama, among others. We have joint hosts for the event, that is, the City of Chicago and the State University of Chicago.

Xenophobia: Retaliatory attacks on Shoprite, MTN will hurt Nigerians…

How do you think this festival will boost the Yoruba culture?

America is the biggest and most advanced country in the whole world; in fact, we can say America is the world leader, so taking our culture and tradition to America is going to benefit Yoruba people, both at home and in the diaspora. It will also give other nationalities, especially Americans, the opportunity to understand our culture and way of life. It is always at an advantage to get your culture exposed to the world.

How did you choose those to be honoured in Chicago?

We are not a governmental organisation, but you can call us a renaissance group; so the indices used to select those to be honoured are not based on commercial or religious basis; we picked those who are truly committed to promoting the Yoruba tradition and culture. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi is the chairman of the festival; in fact, he picked the date of event. So with the Ooni and other paramount traditional rulers attending, then you can be sure that the festival is a huge one.

Despite all the efforts at projecting the culture, most Yoruba youths no longer value the culture as they are facing a clash between their culture and the global culture, which is derived from the Western way of doing things. With the fact that the world is now a global village, is it possible for the Yoruba culture to survive the onslaught of the global culture?

Attack is the best form of defence; it is when we promote our culture that we can salvage it. We must make our people see how valuable our culture is, and that is when they will know that our culture is sophisticated. We must continue to work hard by promoting the culture. The media, especially television, has a huge role to play in this regard. We must continue to bring out our values and our youths will have no choice but to embrace their culture.

Do you hope that the next edition of the festival will remain in Chicago, or you intend to take it to other cities in the US?

As the Yoruba say, one step at a time. We shall cross the bridge when we get there.

You are also a high chief in Ibadan; what do you have to say to the recent peace moves among members of the Olubadan-in-Council?

Members of the Olubadan-in-Council visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji at the palace on his 91st birthday. We are now back to the era of peace, progress and unity in Ibadanland.