Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Why Yoruba Africans don't wage holy war.

A Yoruba proverb says, "A kole birikoto, a ni ki Orisa gba a; bi ko ba gba a, ko lo sigbee ko lo sa eke, ko lo sodan lo ho okun, ko mo bi agara-a ti ndani."

In English, it means that, if you build a shrine for your God or Orisa. And your god does not want the shrine or appreciate your effort. You do not have to worry. You also have the right as a man to ask the Orisa to go into the forest to cut stakes, grass land for vines to build his or her shrine. 

I love this proverb because it shows how tolerant our ancestors were to one another about God and different mode of worship. It also shows the horizontal relationship between them and their Gods (Orisa's). Unlike the vertical relationship between African Christians and Muslims to their adopted heavenly Gods today. 

We should all learn to tolerate one another. Our security should only be the reason why we should attack or defend ourselves with cohesive force not because of our religion and our definition of the most high (God). Could this be the reason why Yoruba ancestors don't wage crusade or Jihad (holy wars) on one another? I believe so, what about you?

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Grammy award winning Youssou N’Dour dropped As Senegal’s Minister Of Culture

Grammy award winning artiste and Senegal’s Minister for Culture and Tourism, Youssou N’Dour has been removed from office.

N’Dour was sacked on Sunday, September 8, 2013 after a cabinet re-shuffle by the Senegalese president, Macky Sall.

Sources revealed that N’Dour, the prime minister, Abdoul Mbaye and some other cabinet members were dismissed allegedly for failure in delivering public services to the masses.

The 54-year-old artiste turned politician was named Senegal’s Minister for Culture and Tourism on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 after his bid for presidency failed.

N’Dour has released 27 albums over the past 28 years with his most recent being 2011’s ‘Mbalakh Dafay Wakh’.

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Goddess of Osun River (Yeye) : Lovely Photos From Osun Osogbo festival





 No fewer than three hundred thousand people from across the globe converged in Osogbo last Friday to celebrate the annual festival. In case you missed the entire Osun Osogbo festival, you can check out the African hairstyles of the Osun River goddess worshipers and other photos below (photo courtesy of Fela Awosika).
See More Photos Bellow.










A worshipper of Osun goddess stands beside statues as they pray to the goddess and other spirits at the Osun river in Osogbo, Nigeria, Friday Aug. 23, 2013. Many of the worshippers observing the centuries-old ethnic Yoruba celebration in southwestern Nigeria are Christians and Muslims. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)


Worshippers of Osun goddess pray to the goddess and other spirits at the Osun river in Osogbo, Nigeria, Friday Aug. 23, 2013. Many of the worshippers observe the centuries-old ethnic Yoruba celebration in southwestern Nigeria are Christians and Muslims. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)


Worshippers of Osun goddess pray to the goddess and other spirits at the Osun river in Osogbo, Nigeria, Friday Aug. 23, 2013. Many of the worshippers observing the centuries-old ethnic Yoruba celebration in southwestern Nigeria are Christians and Muslims, But they say a person cannot pray to enough gods in a country overwhelmed by grinding poverty, rampant ethnic violence and the ravages of AIDS and malaria. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)


Worshippers of Osun goddess pray to the goddess and other spirits at the Osun river in Osogbo, Nigeria, Friday Aug. 23, 2013. Many of the worshippers observing the centuries-old ethnic Yoruba celebration in southwestern Nigeria are Christians and Muslims, But they say a person cannot pray to enough gods in a country overwhelmed by grinding poverty, rampant ethnic violence and the ravages of AIDS and malaria. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)


Worshippers of Osun goddess arrived to pray for the goddess and other spirits at the Osun river in Osogbo, Nigeria, Friday Aug. 23, 2013. Many of the worshippers observing the centuries-old ethnic Yoruba celebration in southwestern Nigeria are Christians and Muslims.(AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)


Worshippers of Osun goddess pray to the goddess and other spirits at the Osun river in Osogbo, Nigeria, Friday Aug. 23, 2013. Many of the worshippers observing the centuries-old ethnic Yoruba celebration in southwestern Nigeria  (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
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Thursday, August 29, 2013

Congrats: Fifi Ejindu Bags African Arts & Fashion Lifetime Award by AAA


Celebrated entrepreneur, architect, philanthropist and founder of African Arts and Fashion Initiative,Princess Fifi Ejindu, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the African Achievers Awards at the African Arts and Fashion Banquet that has been held at The Dorchester on Sunday, 4 August 2013. TheAfrica Fashion Week London Life Patron was presented with the award for her contribution towards the promotion of African Arts and Fashion across the globe.
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Sunday, August 18, 2013

Aṣọ-Oke : Clothes from the up-country ( Dress Of the Day)



Aṣọ-Oke is a popular attire in Yorubaland, usually worn by couples on their traditional wedding day or by people attending a classy, glamorous and indigenous party. Yoruba people take pride in this attire hence its prestige. Aṣọ-Oke is a short form of Aso Ilu Oke meaning clothes from the up-country. It is the traditional wear of the Yoruba people. Aṣọ-Oke clothing materials typically come
 from processed cottons from traditional weavers in Yorubaland.

Basically, Yoruba's Aṣo-oke comes in three major colours: Alaari – a rich red Aṣọ-Oke, Sanyan- a brown and usual light brown Aṣọ-Oke, and Ẹtu- a dark blue Aṣọ-Oke.

There are also Aso-ofi - pure white yarned cloths, used as cover cloth, it can be sewn and worn.

Aran- a velvet clothing material sewn into Danṣiki and Kẹmbẹ, worn by the rich.

Adirẹ - cloth with various patterns and designs, dye in indigo ink (Ẹlu).

These fabrics are used to make pertinent women’s wrapper called Iro and notable men’s large gown called Agbada. There are also different sorts of hat designs to complement the dress; Fila for men and Gele for women. 

Sunday, July 21, 2013

New MBGN Queen appointed special assistant on Tourism & Culture

 
 18 year old Anna Ebiere Banner has been appointed Special Assistant on Tourism & Culture to Bayelsa Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson. The governor himself got on stage after she won the crown last night and made her his new special adviser.

You know how some queens come from one state but represent other states at the pageant? Well, that didn't happen with Anna. She's originally from Bayelsa state and I hear she's really 18 years old. She was born  February 18, 1995. 18 year old special assistant to Govuno? OK! Congrats to her!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Alake of Egbaland Western Nigeria - May 1937.

This is Alake of Egbaland Western Nigeria, late King Ladapo Ademola II arriving at the coronation of King Goerge VI of England in London, May 1937.

ST