In continuation of efforts to preserve Yoruba cultural heritage, the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, will be agog on July 23 and 24 for the yearly Ayanagalu Drum Festival.

The event, which will hold at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, will attract no fewer than 1000 drummers as well as culture enthusiasts, scholars and traditionalists from the South-West states and other parts of the country.

The festival, which is in its fifth edition, is being organised by the palace in partnership with Ajoyo NG Integrated Services Limited.

Briefing journalists in Lagos on the plans for the event, Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi said the drum festival is one of the festivals the Ooni of Ife takes pride in showcasing to the world.

According to her, the drum festival has been going on for hundreds of years, but the incumbent Ooni decided to elevate it to a major cultural fiesta when he ascended the throne.

“We are in a digital era now and we can see things our forefathers couldn’t see then. Ayanagalu festival is one of the festivals His Majesty takes pride in showcasing to the world. It’s our identity, our culture and heritage; we must not do away with it. We must celebrate our identity and culture with pride. What my husband preaches every time is that we should be proud of our culture,” she said.

Similarly, the Executive Director of Ajoyo NG Integrated Services Limited, Sinmisola Olajuwon, said the event will parade many cultural attractions.

“We have signed a 10-year agreement with the House of Oodua. We are going to be executing the Ayanagalu festival in Ile-Ife. It’s going to be an exciting festival with many cultural attractions for guests and residents of Osun State,” she said.

She stated that university and secondary schools will participate in the festival, noting that culture that is not passed to the next generation will go into extinction.

Omooba Adekunle Adeyemo of the House of Oodua also harped on the significance of the festival, saying Oba Enitan Ogunwusi will use it to empower people.

“Drumming is a career. Individuals can choose drumming as a career. There are people who beat drums for musicians and they are doing well. Drumming is encompassing.

“Drumming can be used to tame insecurity; a drummer can use his or her drum to pass a message in a community, town, village, and Hamlet that there is a danger and nobody should come out,” he explained.