(The LIVING TRADITION)
“Ẹni t’ó sọ àṣà nù, ó so àpò ìyà kọ.” This popular Yorùbá adage translates literarily to, “One who throws away his/her culture, has hung a bag of suffering.”
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”
– Marcus Garvey
There is now a groundswell of interest in African youths, both on the continent and in the Diaspora, to become more acquainted with issues around their culture and tradition. The curriculum in our education system has not done much to provide such information, and for Africans to develop there has to be an awareness of who we really are as a people.
We have to begin to look at ourselves from our innate perspective as opposed to seeking to validate our identity from people of other races. It is important to note that the restoration of pride and dignity in a people should be a function of appreciating the positive aspects of their norms, culture and traditions. Consequently, the initiation of a cultural renaissance programme is a necessity in the process of a people’s development.
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
– Benjamin Franklin
This portal is to provide detailed awareness and education on African culture with particular emphasis on Yorùbá race. Starting with Yorùbá culture is informed by the fact that it is very versatile and, probably, the most widely practised African culture outside Africa. In due course, the hub will stretch to include information on other African cultures.
Our objective is to provide the avenue for yearning minds to embark on the path of self-discovery through availing themselves of details of our heritage in an authentic and stimulating way. Eventually, the information provided on this hub should become a catalyst in restoring the pride of the African people.
This online resource therefore aims to highlight heritage sites across Yorùbá land, providing narratives on their history and significance; issues relating to customs like traditional marriages, naming ceremonies, beauty/hairstyles, fashion, skincare, healthcare, herbal remedies, current issues trending in the Yorùbá world, arts (music, dance, drama, films, personalities, poetry etc.), providing information on different prominent Yorùbá festivals like the Ọ̀ṣun-Òṣogbo festival, Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day, Ọlọ́jọ́ Festival in Ilé-Ifẹ̀, Òkè Ìtasẹ̀, Adámú Òrìṣà – Ẹ̀yọ̀ in Lagos, etc. There will also be organised events – symposia, seminars, exhibitions, displays, drama, etc., coming from the stable of this platform.
It is our aim to make the discourse on this platform interactive to afford our audience the opportunity to enquire and probe further in their quest for knowledge.
It is hoped that this medium will be another conscientious effort in contributing to the development of our cultural and traditional values.
Let us begin our journey of self-discovery.