Ayan Agalu is one of the prominent cultural festivals celebrated in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Southwest Nigeria.
The festival is held annually in Ile-Ife, the cradle and spiritual headquarters of the Yoruba race in celebration of the uniqueness and craftsmanship of Ayan Agalu, the deity of associated with drums, sounds and celebrations.
The festival is essentially the celebration of a uniquely significant and beautiful communicative aspect of the Yoruba culture as manifested in the use of proverbs which are associated with the sounds of the drums in their various forms and components.
As this year's edition of the festival nocks, the Arole Oduduwa, Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, in a statement noted that Ayan Agalu is one of the unique and special creations of Olodumare for the benefits of mankind.
"The voyage of Yorùbá drumming precedes the intrusion of synthetic foreign musical instruments that have eroded the sacred and creative materials of our cultural identities. History has it that Òrìsạ̀ Àyàn (the deity of drum) is revered and eulogised as the spirit who speaks out from inside his wooded abode, (Òrìsạ̀ gbé’nú igi fohùn), in reference to the log of wood from which the drums (ìlù) are fashioned."
The entirety of the Yoruba drum essemble notable among which are Bata, Omele, Dundun, Gangan, Igbin Orisa and numerous others, according to the monarch, speak proverbly.
Ayan Agalu, Ooni added, is central to all celebrations of mankind as it ensures people are happy and have the best ceremonial experience.
"Òrìsạ̀ Àyàn is regarded as a unique deity whose creative dominance is not only persuasive but commands multilinguistic profundity through the designated wood species that he speaks from, which have transcended through history. It also remains an enviable tool of communal significance, sociocultural values, modern liturgical/spiritual activities, global popular culture, and continues to receive interdisciplinary intellectual attention in African literature and related fields."
The Ooni then enjoined all the descendants of Oduduwa home and abroad to join in the colourful celebration, scheduled to hold between 29th to 30th of June, 2022 at the Ile Oodua, his palace.
"Àyàn drummers' symbolic responsibilities are deeply entwined with human existence, and their distinctive stories travel with them. Drums and drummers are the foundation of our music, sounds, and numerous spiritual and cultural celebrations, and we all have pragmatic and deep links with their efficacy. They are excellent confidants of ours. With their quiet but amusing senses of humour, they are constantly there with their creative ingenuity to offer varied messages to us.
Therefore, and as I celebrate the incredible and unique contribution of Àyàn drummers to our contemporary society during the upcoming Àyàn Àgalú festival, we must undoubtedly adore and celebrate this inheritance as a precious gift from Elédùmarè. Join me in Ilè-Oòduà."
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