Kiriji War goes on stage, to unite Yoruba, revive history, culture

The stage performance detailing Kiriji, the epic Yoruba war experiences in the 19th century and listed as one of the longest civil wars in human history, will light up the South West Nigeria in the next few months.

The project is put together by Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) and Legendary Productions, an international art and culture concern.

The director of the project is Abiodun Abe, a renowned stage director, technician and former president of National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP).

According to a statement by the chairman and secretary of the publicity committee of the Project, Adewale Adeoye and Segun Balogun, it will draw no fewer than 50 top artistes from across the world with over 10,000 other participants at various levels.

The statement said the performance, as a huge project, would see artistes camp for months, adding, “the project will lead to the establishment of the first Yoruba Museum of War History.”

Kiriji War is the most significant political event in Yoruba history in the past 500 years. “Not just for the fact that it was a battle for Federalism against a garrison state, but also that it revealed the science, technology and political content of Yoruba historical struggles, over centuries for justice, liberty and an egalitarian society,” both said.

The project will also lead to the establishment of the first Yoruba Museum of War History, bringing together artefacts, the collection of currently dispersed and disorganised art, weapons and historic equipment and assets linked to the war.

“The Yoruba have a long and amazing history of peace and war. From the primordial times, Yoruba history has been one of the most documented epic, reflecting a rich and remarkable civilisation of an indigenous people dating back to the ninth century,” they said.