Yruba People

What I Learned About The Yoruba People

I learned the following about the Yoruba People:

Ajogeebo the Performer
If you mentioned the name Funmi Ojediran (nee Oje) in Oyo, it might not ring a bell. But if you mentioned the name “Ajogeebo”, which means “one who dances before foreigners and taken her dance to foreign land,” everybody would know whom you are talking about.

Funmi Ojediran (nee Oje), is a multi- talented artist, and able to adapt performer. She is a leading promoter of Igba titi music, and dance.

The Igba Dance
Igba titi, is a form of entertainment, which originated from a woman of the Oyo Palace. The Royal wives and princesses (Aya Oba and Omo Oba Obirin), perform this dance mainly to entertain themselves, and at special occasions, such as weddings, naming ceremonies of princes and princesses, the burial of members of the royal family, and on state occasions.

The Instrument
Igba titi musical instruments are made up of hollow wooden mortar filled water, then a hollow calabash is place upside down in the mortar. The player uses a thin stick made from cane to beat the calabash to produce the main beat. Metal rings are worn on the fingers to beat the softer notes.

Performances at the Palace
At the palace, there are always performing artists completing daily performances for the king, and visitors. There are musicians, and drummers who play bata dundun music, dancers, and official praise chanters.

The Compounds
In the Isale Oyo area, there are many compounds where woman make local soap, and cosmetics. The ancient Akesan market near the palace is a place to discover all these, and then some.

The Duundun and Bata Drums
Brass works of many different shapes tied to the duundun, and bata drums, had their origin in old Oyo. As the present Sovereign Head of State reminded, there is old Oyo saying that “Ilu ti ni agogo ide, kose iluwa, ilu ti oni se aworo koso ilu ti wa ide.” “The drum that has no brass bells and other fancy decorations is not ours.”