LAGOS’ 8th Asa Day Festival was a vibrant mix of people, cultures, and ideas, celebrating the Yoruba people’s rich cultural heritage.
The event with the theme ‘Raising the Bar of Lagos Indigenous Cultural Heritage’ held at the Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Ikeja, featured dazzling performances and colourful displays.
At the event organized in collaboration with Asa Day Worldwide International Canada and the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Oloro of Oro Kingdom, Kwara State, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye, passionately appealed to governments at all levels to explore the untapped economic potential of Nigeria’s diverse cultural traditions.
“Culture is our future,” Oyatoye began at the December event. “I believe in the development of our economy through our cultural heritage. Our people are now more enlightened and passionate about promoting their cultural heritage,” he urged everyone to protect, promote, and celebrate what makes them unique.
The choice of Lagos as the venue for the festival was no coincidence. Oyatoye explained that Lagos is a melting pot of various cultures, making it the perfect place to raise awareness about the importance of indigenous traditions.
“Every race and kingdoms have their own indigenous culture. And Lagos, being a place for everybody, should raise the flag of its own indigenous culture. That’s why Asa Day is important,” he said.
The festival itself was a testament to the success of the initiative. People came from all corners of the country, and even from as far as China, to witness the colourful celebration.
Asa Day was celebrated in Canada for several years, and it returned to Lagos for the second time after its inaugural edition in 2021. It has now become a bridge connecting cultures and spreading the message of cultural preservation.
One of the special guests at the event, fuji musician Saheed Osupa, praised the collaboration between the royal leadership and the Lagos State Government in bringing the festival to life.
He stressed that initiatives like Asa Day are vital to ensuring culture’s survival and preventing it from being lost to time.”This is a great idea to promote our culture and prevent it from going extinct,” Osupa said.
Actor Saidi Balogun was equally vocal about Asa Day’s role in transmitting the Yoruba legacy to future generations. “We must teach our children about our culture,” he urged, adding that the task starts at home. “Charity begins at home. If we don’t pass it down, who will?”
Balogun, who has made a career of portraying Yoruba tradition on screen, acknowledged the crucial role of the government in supporting cultural initiatives like Asa Day.
However, he emphasized that the culture must first be embraced by the people, for only then can actual change occur. “Government can show the political will, but we must also show the cultural will,” he said.
Mrs Lanre Hassan, popularly known as Iya Awero, echoed similar sentiments. “It is our duty as cultural enthusiasts to ensure the preservation of our culture for future generations,” she said, highlighting the importance of passing down the traditions that have shaped the Yoruba people for centuries.
As Oyatoye promised, the next edition would be even grander, with a comprehensive exhibition of Yoruba culture and traditions that would leave an indelible mark on everyone who witnessed it.
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