Foremost advocate of African culture and history, Professor Toyin Falola has reiterated calls for the sustenance and continued survival of Yoruba civilisaton.
The United States of America-based professor of African history gave this submission while speaking at the just concluded international conference on Ile-Ife and Yoruba civilisation.
The event which was put together by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, had leading scholars in Yoruba history, culture, traditions and civilisation. While Professor Falola led the distinguished array of intellectuals, Oba Ogunwusi led royal dignitaries who were at the event.
The conference which started on October 10 was concluded on October 14 and had at its core the nexus between tradition and modernity.
Falola, in his keynote address titled ‘The Royal Dynasty of Ile-Ife: Ancient Rule and Contemporary Influence’, advocated the sustenance of Yoruba civilisation just as he noted that the relevance of the royal dynasty of Ile-Ife cannot be overemphasized.
According to him, “Navigating the well-worn roads of Ile-Ife, there’s an unmistakable sense of legacy pervading the dynamic society organised by the Royal Dynasty. As caretakers of a vast cultural legacy, they must balance the rich traditions with contemporary advances, assuring the Yoruba civilisation’s continued survival. This careful balancing effort has established them as powerful navigators in a dynamic world that oscillates continually between preservation and advancement.”
Earlier, Falola outlined the significance of the royal dynasty in the modern era, saying “As the modern era unfolds, the Royal Dynasty acts with forethought, attempting to merge the rich tale of the past with the bright palette of contemporary culture. As a result, economic development emerges as the fundamental axis around which this harmonic integration revolves. Ile-Ife’s leaders passionately support the development of local industries, craftsmanship, and cultural tourism, activities that serve as bulwarks for preserving traditional customs and open up profitable avenues for the community’s economic growth. Promoting long-term economic endeavours becomes a rallying cry for the community. An intentional transition occurs in which entrepreneurial initiatives combine traditional knowledge and traditions to construct a route of economic progress with the essence of cultural legacy at its centre. As a result, the Royal Dynasty serves as a beacon, guiding the community toward economic viability while preserving the unique fabric of its traditions. However, the cultural pulse of Ile-Ife is most alive during the festive congregations that mark the calendar. These festivals and events transform into arenas where the traditional and the contemporary collide, providing a pleasant convergence of songs, choreographies, and artistic expressions that entice spectators from local and worldwide landscapes. It presents a rich cultural reservoir that has been effortlessly blended with modern forms of entertainment, conserving the essence of tradition and paving the path for enhanced cultural exchange and revenue-generating through tourism.
“This innovative method goes beyond mere celebration, unfolding as a strategy to strengthen the community’s economy, allowing the vivid exhibition of local artistic prowess to fascinate audiences, thus producing a lively hub for cultural tourism. The fusion of traditional and contemporary components in these celebrations sustains and perpetuates cultural practices while creating opportunities for economic sustenance and progress.
“In this technologically advanced day, the officials of Ile-Ife realise technology’s potential as a powerful ally in their goal of cultural preservation and modernisation.
Websites and social media networks morph into tools for precisely protecting and distributing cultural narratives, folklore, and traditions, and the digital sphere becomes a vivid canvas. This digital embrace not only helps to preserve the rich cultural legacy but also helps to establish important ties with younger generations, who are known for their ability to navigate the internet terrain. Furthermore, the Royal Dynasty encourages an environment conducive to community interaction and dialogue. Developing forums that allow for open interactions between traditional leaders, community members, and youth is a key undertaking. These forums foster a sense of collective ownership and mutual accountability, fostering a community united in its purpose to preserve cultural traditions while navigating the difficulties of modern life.”
The various speakers at the conference harped on the need to appropriate the gains of modernity in the sustenance of the legacies of Yoruba civilisation and culture.
Oba Ogunwusi told the gathering that the conference was geared towards the enrichment of the history of the different phases of Ile-Ife dynasty. Other traditional rulers at the event included the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Abolarin Aroyinkeye, the Salu of Edunabon, Alapomu of Apomu, among others.
