The Chairman of Ọmọ Yoruba Atata Socio-cultural Initiative (OYASI), Mr. Ọlawale Ajao, has stated that the Yoruba race has suffered greatly due to its late adoption of writing and reading literacy, which has led to distortions of its rich history and culture.
Ajao made this assertion on Thursday during a courtesy visit to the Ṣọun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, as part of the group’s efforts to gain royal support for its annual World Headdress Celebration, one of its key cultural programmes.
According to Ajao, the absence of a writing culture in the early history of the Yoruba people left their stories to be documented by early European writers and missionaries, many of whom recorded events through biased or incomplete perspectives.
“Our history was not written early enough, and because of that, it was left in the hands of outsiders who often misrepresented us. Now we must reclaim our narrative and flaunt our cultural heritage to the world before it is rebranded and taken from us”, Ajao said.
The World Headdress Celebration, he explained, is designed to highlight the hidden cultural, spiritual, and historical significance of crowns, caps, head ties, and other traditional headdresses.
The initiative aims not only to preserve cultural identity but also to secure UNESCO’s recognition of a World Headdress Day and encourage scientific research into traditional items that may hold undiscovered uses beyond adornment.
“There is more to these headdresses than meets the eye. Every tribe has its own symbolic use, and with proper study, we may find innovations that benefit humanity globally,” he added.
The first edition of the celebration was held on December 28, 2024, at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, with the second edition scheduled for the same date and venue in 2025.
In his response, Soun of Ogbomoso commended the group’s vision and reiterated his commitment to promoting Yoruba culture, stating that the initiative fits into his 25-year development agenda for Ogbomosoland.
He said the programme aligns with his goals to unify people of Ogbomosoland and stimulate economic growth.
According to him, the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival, recently launched, shares a similar purpose which is to put Ogbomoso on the global cultural and tourism map.
Oba Olaoye stressed that the cultural revival of his domain is not a personal ambition, but a divine mission.
“No matter who you might have visited, this is the Soun of Ogbomoso,” he told the delegation. “When did you say the programme is? December 28? May God spare our lives till then. Just keep me reminded, please”, he concluded.
The OYASI delegation included Mr. Adeyemi Olorire, Mr. Kolawole Ajao, and Mrs. Olalere Yetunde.