Why Yoruba culture must be preserved – Oyo lawmaker, Adedoyin

Olatunde Oluwasola

Lawmaker representing Ogbomoso South State Constituency and Majority Leader of Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. ‘Sanjo Adedoyin has said that the Yoruba culture must be preserved.

Speaking in an interview with NATIONAL TELESCOPE, the lawmaker said, the culture if not preserved will cause the gradual loss or weakening of traditional Yoruba customs, values, language, art, rituals, and practices.

He insisted that culture and tradition are distinct from religion, and it’s essential to maintain that distinction. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding each aspect of culture and traditions of Yoruba culture.

According to him, Yoruba culture includes our language, drumming, games like Ayò and okot, traditional instruments like Bata drum, sekere drum, and gangan drum, as well as masquerade displays and our music.

He said, “while nations like Brazil, Peru, and Cuba actively promote Yoruba culture, even incorporating it into university curricula, the originators of the culture are losing touch.

“We shouldn’t wait for outsiders to teach us our own heritage. We need to engage our people so that our heritage remains intact.

“If we forget our roots, we’ll remain perpetually naive. This underlined his conviction that a disconnect from their cultural origins would hinder their understanding of themselves and their past.

“By immersing them in our culture, it will awaken their senses and enable them to greet elders appropriately and engage with our traditions.Cultural celebration is a transformative experience for the younger generation, leading them to embrace their heritage.

“Additionally, it will teach them how to dance in our traditional manner and prepare our cultural dishes, like Pounded Yam. These hands-on experiences is crucial for ensuring that the Yoruba cultural legacy endures.

“As the epicenter of Yoruba culture, tradition, and civilization, Oyo State needs to lead the way so that others can follow suit. Oyo State’s influence reflected his dedication to setting an example for the broader Nigerian community in the preservation and promotion of their cultural heritage.”