The Olowu of Owu, Aláyélúwà, Ọba (Prof) Saka Matẹmilọla (Olúyalọ Òtilẹ̀ta VII), has issued a strong call to action for traditional rulers and cultural organisations across Yorubaland to take urgent steps in documenting and preserving Yoruba culture before it is distorted or overtaken by foreign interpretations.
Speaking at his palace during a courtesy visit by the leadership of Ọmọ Yoruba Atata Socio-cultural Initiative (ỌYÀSI), the revered monarch warned that failure to properly safeguard Yoruba heritage could lead to it being misrepresented by the Western world for their own benefit.
“The Yoruba culture is very beautiful, but if we don’t flaunt it to the world, nobody will promote it for us,” Ọba Matẹmilọla said.
“If the rest of the world wants to talk or write about our culture, they will coin it to favour themselves. That is why it is dangerous for us that foreigners like the Chinese and Americans now teach our Yoruba language. The time may come when they will be teaching us our own language”, he continued.
He urged all cultural stakeholders to come together to harmonise differing views on Yoruba traditions and properly document them, adding that the survival of many who earn a living through cultural arts and crafts depends on this preservation effort.
According to Olowu of Owu, who is regarded as the eldest children of Odùduwà, the projenitor of Yoruba race, “Traditional rulers must see this as a call to duty. We, as kings, are the custodians of culture,”
Praising ỌYÀSI for their initiative. “What you are doing is part of our collective responsibility, and I will support you.”
The visit also had in attendance other monarchs under the Owu Kingdom, including the Olukoro of Ẹrunmu Owu, Ọba Abdul Waheed Ayọade Adeotan; the Olu Lapeleke of Owu Kingdom, Ọba Ọdẹkunle Adebari; and the Olu Ibogun of Ọlaogun Owu Kingdom, Ọba Sunday Adebayọ.
Chairman of the initiative, Ọlawale Ajao, had earlier briefed the monarchs about the group’s efforts, particularly the upcoming Second World Headdress Celebration, scheduled to hold in Ibadan on December 28, 2025. He stressed the crucial role of traditional rulers in preserving and promoting Yoruba identity on a global scale.
“We are here to seek your royal blessing and support,” Ajao said. “Our aim is to take Yoruba culture to the world, and we cannot do that without the backing of our royal fathers.”
On the visit with Ajao were Mr Johnson Akinpẹlu and Mr Adeyẹmi Olorire, key members of the ỌYÀSI leadership.
The meeting ended on a hopeful note, with Ọba Matẹmilọla and his fellow monarchs pledging their support for the initiative, and calling for unity among Yoruba cultural organisations to collectively elevate the culture to global recognition.