The Yoruba say that anyone who does something so great that he or she can never be forgotten has become an Orisha. There are several ways of celebrating these Orisha. Sometimes, sacrifices are made at the shrine of the Orisha and gifts offered. There are also feasts with drums and dance.
This, precisely, was what happened on Saturday, May 24, in Ajido, Badagry when residents converged on the community’s open square, Aholu Thanji, to honour the legendary drummer and Grammy Award winner, Dr. Michael Babatunde Olatunji: The veneration of the man hailed as the first to bring African music to Western ears.
By 12 noon, the serene community was already in a festive mood, as the village square was swimming with people, who defied the scorching sun and the intermittent shower of rain to celebrate the man who brought honour to Ajido Kingdom.
Men, women, young and old occupied the sandy Aholu Thanji to be part of an unprecedented celebration of a legend, while masquerades, in their numbers, danced round the community in procession as prelude and traditional rites to the feast.
Tagged Feast of a Legend, the yearly cultural event was initiated by Bond Africana, an organisation dedicated to celebrating African heritage, history and creativity. The festival is designed as a grand homage to iconic African figures—both historical and contemporary — who have shaped the continent’s story through leadership, innovation, arts, activism, and cultural excellence.
Launched as part of Bond Africana’s broader mission to preserve and promote African narratives, Feast of a Legend weaves together elements of history, storytelling, music, and visual arts.
At the core of the celebration was the promotion of Ajido heritage, which His Royal Majesty Saheed Sedonu Adamson, Aholu Topon Toyiaga 1 of Ajido Kingdom, Sato dancers and Zangbeto performance and magic display represent.
Chairman of the event, Mr. Abraham Olukayode Seton Hodonu described the celebration not only as an eye-opener, but also an unprecedented honour no one has been so given in Ajido. He urged the people to emulate the good works of Dr. Olatunji, adding that “if you do right, you will reap the fruits as we have done today.”
“This type of ceremony has never been done to anybody in the history of this town. Your father has laid a precedence that has never been laid by anybody… As a community we will establish a hall of fame. And your father will be the first person whose picture will be exhibited in the hall.
“It may be in the palace or in the town hall. Your father photograph will be number one. There is no other honour you can give to anybody than what is being done now. The Lord will continue to bless you as you honour your father, the Lord will honour you,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mrs. Modupe Maume Olatunji commended everyone for participating in the celebration of Baba Olatunji, adding that Baba grew up in Ajido and was inspired from young age to take to drumming, which took him all over the world.
“He always told us if you have a good name and you do good deeds, you will go far. And we are grateful that each and every one of you is here today to witness this occasion to celebrate and kick off his 100th birthday which will be in 2027,” she said.
In a tribute from Mwagale, Kozza, Tukie, Basi and lyabo, the family said: “Baba, you lived as both a humanist and a legend. You were and still legendary. A Grammy-winning percussionist, a devoted philanthropist, a proud Pan-Africanist, a beloved father. And to us, a cherished grandfather.
“At your core was a deep and abiding belief in the power of family-biological, chosen, and global. You cared for all of us with grace, strength, and unwavering love. And even now, beyond the veil, we feel your care guiding and uplifting us. You gave us the greatest gift: a radiant legacy woven with vibrant fabrics, melodic songs, rhythmic movement, and mighty drum beats. We pledge to share that gift with the world.
“We are ready and deeply honored to carry your legacy forward: a legacy of love, unity, and peace. As we step into new chapters and welcome the 4th generation, we do so with reverence for your words and wisdom, forever honoring the truth that ‘rhythm is the soul of life.’ And when the wind carries our collective heart ‘beat’ to your corner of the universe, we know you will respond with infinite love, with eternal Ife. Love is eternal, love is Ife.”
Born April 7, 1927, he died April 6, 2003; Olatunji was introduced to traditional African music at an early age. His name, Bàbátúndé, means ‘father has returned’, because he was born two months after his father, Zannu, died, and Olatunji was considered to be a reincarnation of him. His father was a local fisherman who was about to rise to the rank of chieftain, and his mother was a potter.
Olatunji grew up speaking the Ogu/Egun and Yoruba languages. His maternal grandmother and a great-grandmother were priestesses of the Vodun and Ogu religions, and they worshipped the Vodun, such as Kori, the goddess of fertility.
Due to his father’s premature death, from an early age he was groomed to take the position as chief. When he was 12, he realised that he did not want to become a chieftain. He read in Reader’s Digest magazine about the Rotary International Foundation’s scholarship programme, and applied for it. His application was successful and he went to the United States in 1950 to attend Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.
In Morehouse, Olatunji became good friends with Morehouse College Glee Club director Dr. Wendell P. Whalum. He never sang in the Glee Club, but collaborated with Whalum on a staple of the choir’s repertoire, “Betelehemu”, a Nigerian Christmas carol. After graduating, he went on to New York University to study public administration. There, he started a small percussion group to earn money on the side while he continued his studies.
Olatunji has been hailed as the father of African drumming in the United States. His Drums of Passion became a major hit and introduced many Americans to world music.
