Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Sunday, emphasized the need for the preservation of African cultural heritages, warning that they must not be allowed to fade into extinction.
Speaking in Abeokuta during the 50th birthday celebration of renowned female talking drummer, Olamuyiwa Aralola (popularly known as Ara), Obasanjo called for the safeguarding of the Yoruba culture, specifically highlighting its authenticity.
Obasanjo, hosting Ara at the Green Legacy Hotel and Resort within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, expressed deep appreciation for her dedication to preserving the Yoruba cultural heritage, particularly her trailblazing role in mastering the talking drum—an instrument traditionally reserved for men.
“For whatever reason, we must preserve our culture. Ara is a woman of culture, she is our cultural ambassador, she has lifted our culture and broken the taboo on what was once believed to be exclusively for men,” Obasanjo said. “She not only excelled in this but is already building young ones to preserve her legacy.”
Obasanjo reflected on the traditional norms he encountered in his youth, recalling, “When I was growing up, there were two things that you couldn’t imagine a woman doing—climbing a palm tree and playing the talking drum. Ara has broken the taboo and done it very well.”
He emphasized the importance of excelling in whatever one chooses to do.
“If you are a dancer, dance well. If you are a footballer, play well. Whatever you find your hands doing, do it well,” Obasanjo advised.
“We must not joke with our culture. Our language, our food, our dress—they are all authentic, and we must not allow them to be relegated to the background.”
The former president also expressed his belief that cultural practices should not be forgotten, regardless of religious affiliations.
“I am a Christian; I attended two churches today, but that does not mean I should forget my culture,” he remarked. “Whoever says Ifa is nothing is a big fool. Before Christianity and Islam, we had Ifa Orunmila, meaning Olorun lo mo eni to ma la—’It is Heaven that knows who will be saved.'”
Ara, visibly grateful for the honor, shared her early experiences, revealing that she began playing the talking drum at the age of 10 in her father’s palace in Ondo. She underscored the importance of parents preserving cultural traditions for future generations.
“We must do everything we can to preserve our culture,” Ara said, as she thanked Obasanjo for the recognition.