The African Drums Festival commenced in
Abeokuta, Ogun, on Thursday with more than 20 cultural troupes from
about 13 countries from the continent in attendance.
The
festival, which is an expanded form of the maiden edition of the Nigerian
Drums Festival held in Abeokuta in 2016, also drew participants from Haiti and
observers from Dallas in the United States.
The
Minister of Information. Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,
in his remarks described the festival as “a development worthy of
emulation by other states.’’
He noted
that such festival would further invigorate the strides of the government in
tourism investment and development.
The
Muhammadu Buhari -led administration is determined to pursue with relentless
vigour the diversification of our present mono reliance on an oil economy to
massive investment in non-oil sectors like agriculture, solid
minerals and tourism.,” he said.
Mohammed,
who was represented by the Artistic Director of the National Troupe of
Nigeria, Mr Tar Ukor, noted that such festivals would promote pan-African unity
and increased inter – African economic trade as well as enhanced local
value chain benefits.
This
festival will also promote inter-African leisure travel and the renaissance
of our African cultural milestones in contributing toward
civilisation.
It will
engender cultural reawakening in Africa on shared values and fraternal
solidarity within the region,’’ he said.
Gov.
Ibikunle Amosun said the festival was a platform to showcase the rich
cultural heritage of the people of Ogun and to also stamp Nigeria on the world
map.
He gave an
assurance that the state would continue to explore different aspects of the
Nigerian culture with a view to promoting and preserving them.
The Ooni
of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, urged states to focus on other aspects of the
Nigerian culture with a view to propagating them.
The
Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, noted that drums occupy an important
place in Yoruba culture.
Drums are
used to wake Yoruba monarchs early in the morning reminding them of their oaths
to adjudicate among their subjects without fear or favour.
Drums are
important tools that accompany monarchs and warriors to the warfront and act as
source from which they draw encouragement and courage as well as indicate to
them when to withdraw or advance into battle.
Drums are
also used to announce the deaths of some important personalities in
Yorubaland,” he said.
Nobel
Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, said rhythms from drums “are
enchanting.’’
He
described as erroneous the belief that culture involves some demonic and
satanic practices.
Soyinka,
who commended the Ogun government for the initiative, noted that
many great things in Nigeria began from Ogun.
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