By TAIYE OLAYEMI

Nigeria’s foremost female talking drummer, Aralola Olamuyiwa, popularly known as Ara, has lamented the lack of support from local brands for artistes promoting indigenous culture.

Ara spoke during the second edition of her cultural showcase, ‘ARA Monthly’, held at the KAP Hub, Kunle Afolayan Production Centre, in Lagos.

She decried that several corporate organisations had turned down her requests for sponsorship.

According to her, the absence of support is forcing many talented artistes to seek better opportunities abroad.

“It is disheartening that in the first edition, only two people bought tickets. For this second edition, only one person paid,” she said.

She stressed that brands needed to support artistes in order to sustain and promote Nigeria’s rich culture.

“Several times, I have been turned down by organisations that should support us. Many colleagues have left the country due to lack of support,” Ara said.

She added that Nigeria is globally recognised as a cultural hub blessed with unique heritage and talent.

The drummer thrilled the audience with a vibrant performance that combined drumming, singing and dancing.

She performed her song ‘Ase’, inspired by her admiration of God’s creation and the spiritual authority (Ase) bestowed on humanity.

Ara revealed that the song’s melody first came to her in a dream.

She also performed folklores and her song ‘Ife’, noting that unlike songs centred on heartbreaks, hers celebrated the theme of abundant love.

At intervals during her performance, Ara spoke against immorality, theft and lies, urging Nigerians to embrace honesty and uprightness.

She expressed gratitude to filmmaker Kunle Afolayan for providing the performance venue free of charge, describing his gesture as a major encouragement.

Ara reiterated that cultural promotion required the backing of brands and institutions to thrive.

She warned that without such support, Nigeria risked losing its rich indigenous heritage.

Speaking on culture, Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon, a renowned Ifa priest, poet and dramatist from Osogbo, also urged the revival of indigenous religion and practices.

Elebuibon lamented that Nigerians had long been conditioned to neglect their cultural heritage.

He described culture as a vital resource that should never be relegated.

Explaining the ‘Orisha’ concept, Elebuibon said, “The Yoruba concept of Olorisha refers to individuals spiritually endowed to perform wonders, thereby attracting followers.”

He argued that missionaries disrupted this understanding by relegating African traditions and imposing foreign religions, fearing indigenous practices might prove superior.

He maintained it was not madness to uphold the practices of one’s ancestors.

Elebuibon also praised Yoruba names, describing them as unique, beautiful and meaningful.

Speaking on peaceful coexistence among traditional worshippers, Muslims and Christians, he said harmony could only be achieved if adherents refrained from mocking one another’s beliefs. (NAN)