Sunday, February 21, 2016

Why Trinidad and Tobago citizens value Yoruba culture.

Araba at Piarco international Airport in the International VIP Lounge 
on the day of his arrival to Trinidad and Tobago. (Artwork by Leroy Clarke)

Why Trinidad and Tobago citizens value Yoruba culture — Elebuibon


November 19, 2015

Written by: Tunde Busari 
Originally posted at:Tribuneonlineeng.com

THE renowned Ifa Priest and Araba of Osogbo, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon has revealed why the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago appreciate Yoruba culture and struggle to propagate it.

Recalling his experience during his recent journey to the West Indian country, Chief Elebuibon said what he saw in the people delighted him and also gave him hope that Yoruba culture would survive the current threat. 

In September, the Araba, on invitation, traveled to Trinidad and Tobago just after he had rounded off his annual Ogbeyonu festival held in Osogbo, his hometown. 

He was in the country to attend the Isese festival where he delivered lecture and also mentored some Yoruba culture enthusiasts.  
Araba at the home of the host while he is in Trinidad and Tobago, Artist Leroy Clarke.

Elebuibon spoke on two topics, Role of ancestor in affairs of mankind and Messengers of Orisas. His audience was enthralled so much that they urged him to always honor them at the festival.

“I was equally impressed by their appreciation of our culture. At every compound, we were welcomed with drums and dance. They said they had been anxious to see me. It is another experience, which is unique in its own way. 

“Although the country is not that rich, in terms of economy, the people are very warm and promoting their faith. Before I left, they had started making effort to impress it upon the government to set aside a day as Isese day. They are also working on their unity to achieve the goal. I told them that doing so is the only way to convince the incumbent government which seems to be indifferent to their demand,” he said. 

The soft-speaking priest who was scheduled to travel to London and Brazil after the Ogbeyonu festival said that the Trinidad and Tobago invitation was considered satisfactory to the organizers of the Isese day. 
Araba at the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival

According to him, the journey was worth its while as he was also taken to a place named Yoruba Village, a settlement that depicts Yoruba cultural heritage and historical materials, especially the slave trade that separated the forefathers of Elebuibon’s hosts from their root in Nigeria.  

The visit ended with his visit to other important places in the North and Southern part of the country. 
“They took me to the Mayor who also appreciated my visit. It is an eye-opening trip and the reason we must not stop to tell our people back home that our culture should not be toyed with because there are so many out there who are trying their best to identify with it,” he said. 

The Araba is not only an Ifa priest, he is also a theatre practitioner and in fact, former vice-president of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners (ANTP) during the tenure of Adebayo Salami, otherwise known as Oga Bello. 

Also, he is an author of books such as Poetry Voice of Ifa; Apetebii: The Wife of Orunmila; Adventures of Obatala 1 & 2;The Healing Powers of Sacrifice; Ifa, the Custodian of Destiny; The Invisible Powers of the Metaphysical World: A Peep Into the World of Witches; Iyere Ifa (Tonal Poetry, the Voice of Ifa): an Exposition of Yoruba Divination Chants; Irinajo Eda; Ogota Ewi Ogota Ajodun orikadun, New Series of Works; Soul Journeys of a Priest in the Wonderland; Water Spirit of Yorubaland; Healing Power of the Prayer and Iku, the Fearful Spirit.

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