Fidelis David in Akure
The Adegbemile Cultural Centre in Akure, Ondo State, came alive with colour, rhythm and cultural pride on Wednesday as cultural enthusiasts, traditional rulers and artists gathered for the maiden edition of CULFEST 1.1, a festival dedicated to celebrating and preserving Yoruba heritage.
The event featured traditional music, dance performances, fashion displays and cultural lectures, creating a vibrant atmosphere that showcased the richness of indigenous traditions.
Convener of the festival, Yèyé Modupe O. Akerele, who holds the traditional title of Yèyé Àṣà of Ìkàré Àkókó and is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cultural House, said the initiative was conceived to promote Yoruba culture while providing a platform for cultural education and community development.
Speaking with journalists during the colourful event, Akerele emphasised the need to protect and celebrate indigenous traditions, warning that cultural heritage must not be allowed to fade away.
“The idea behind this cultural festival is to appreciate, celebrate and promote Yoruba cultural heritage. Our cultural heritage must not go into extinction,” she said.
She described the festival as more than a routine social gathering, noting that it represents a strong cultural statement about identity, creativity and tradition.
“CULFEST is not just another gathering; it is a powerful celebration of heritage, creativity, fashion, rhythm and community. It is a space where tradition meets expression and identity takes centre stage. Our goal is to promote, preserve and celebrate our rich cultural heritage while also engaging the community in meaningful ways.”
Akerele also called on government to strengthen the teaching of indigenous languages in the education system, stressing that Yoruba should be treated with the same seriousness as English.
“Government should implement policies that make primary and secondary schools take Yoruba language seriously just like English. As English is a criterion for gaining admission into higher institutions, our local languages should also be recognised as criteria for admitting students,” she said.
She added that the festival combined celebration with social impact, explaining that medical outreach programmes and the distribution of free eyeglasses formed part of activities designed to support members of the community.
“The festival is not only about celebration; it is also about service to the community. We organised medical outreach programmes and distributed free eyeglasses because culture should also improve the quality of life of our people,” she said.
The event was graced by several traditional rulers, including the Owa Ale Adimula of Ikare-Akoko, Oba Adeleke Adefemi Adegbite-Adedoyin II, who commended the organisers for promoting Yoruba culture and preserving indigenous traditions.
Describing the initiative as timely, the monarch said festivals that highlight Yoruba identity should be encouraged across the region.
“The festival is a round peg in a round hole. Showcasing Yoruba culture must be encouraged, especially by entertainers and cultural promoters. I am encouraged by what I am seeing here,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Afrocentric musician Adekunle Fasuyi, popularly known as Samba, described the festival as an important platform for projecting African heritage and strengthening appreciation for indigenous values.
He noted that while some people fear the Yoruba language may go extinct, the real challenge is the lack of promotion and appreciation among the people themselves.
“For many years some Africans treated Yoruba as inferior and preferred foreign languages, particularly English, but things are gradually changing as more people recognise the importance of preserving their culture,” he said.
Fasuyi emphasised that parents play a crucial role in preserving indigenous languages, urging families to teach their children their mother tongue and instill pride in their heritage.
“The primary responsibility for preserving language lies with parents. Families must teach their children their native language and ensure they grow up with pride in their culture,” he said.
He also called for reforms in the education system, noting that excessive reliance on English as a benchmark for academic success has affected many students who perform well in other subjects.
“Many students have had their academic progress hindered because of poor performance in English despite excelling in other subjects. English alone should not determine a student’s academic future,” he said.
Another cultural advocate, Ambassador Olamide Ademilua, also urged parents to encourage their children to speak indigenous languages confidently.
He said families must stop portraying Yoruba or other local languages as inferior and instead teach children to value and preserve their linguistic heritage.
“It should be considered shameful for someone not to understand or speak their mother tongue, rather than being seen as sophistication,” he said.
Highlight of the festival was the presentation of cultural recognition awards to individuals who have contributed significantly to the promotion and preservation of culture.
Among the recipients were cultural promoter Olamilekan Fabilola, popularly known as Masoyinbo; Yoruba language scholar Ademola Olamide Seyifunmi; Are Ọba Àṣà Àgbáyé; Ondo State Ajumn President Bolanle Lebson Idanegbe; the President of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Alumni Association, Engr. (Chief) Adesina V. Adeola; and cultural promoter St. Duro amongst others.
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