Cultural preservation: Aale Okeelerin donates objects to national museum in Ogbomoso
pannigeriannews
4 min read
By Sunday ADEPOJU
As part of efforts to preserve culture and improve museum activities in Nigeria, the Aale of Okeelerin in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Oba Samuel Babatunde Oyebamiji Amao II, on Wednesday, in conjunction with some of his chiefs/subjects, donated some Yoruba cultural objects to the Ogbomoso branch of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMN).
According to a historical tradition, Okeelerin is regarded as the genesis of Ogbomoso, whose first settler was known as Aale, who lived up the hill of elephants in the prehistoric era.
Among the objects presented by Oba Amao as permanently given by the donors were: idà (ancient sword); osé Sangó (Sango’s staffs) one used for fighting war and another used as a staff); darìwò (a spiritual courier object); sééré Sango (Sango’s wand); àtùpà/fitilà (local lamp); opón Ifá kékeré (small divination tray); gbárìyè (esiki dress), among others.
Other objects displayed at the venue of the event, the ancient palace of the Aale of Okeelerin, in Okeelerin, Ogbomoso, were tusks – elephant’s teeth which are symbolic of the jurisdiction of the traditional ruler’s history.
There were also performances of Egungun Ajomogbodo, an ancient masquerade with its space-sitting prowess, at the Aale’s Palace.
Speaking in his palace, today, Oba Amao pledged his support for the museum and promised that there would be another meeting where the management team of the museum would interact with custodians of other objects like Egungun Olukotun, ‘apo’ ( ancient arsenal of Ogbomoso), and others.
Oba Amao said, “It is my joy that one of my subjects had worked and retired in this commission. When you came yesterday, I talked to you about Egungun festival in the developed countries. It is not like violence that characterise ours here. And by the grace of God, violence and hooliganism have reduced.
“The event of today will, by God’s grace, not be our last in this world. There are other monuments and objects that you will see. You have seen tusks. You will also see ‘apo’ (arsenal) and others at another time. Some of these objects are not just brought out. There are some activities that must proceed bringing them out.
“I will also introduce you to Olukotun, the first Egungun to perform outside during Egungun festival in Ogbomoso. It is here in Okeelerin. There will be a twin event of Olukotun and ‘apo’ together.”
Noting that culture and religion are not the same, Oba Amoao explained, “Culture differs from religion. I am a Christian to the core. Since you came here, have we worshipped anything? Which animal did we slaughter? What we have today is celebration of culture.
While receiving the objects, the curator of the NCMM in Ogbomoso, Prince Reuben Oyebisi Adeoye, expressed the commission’s appreciation to the traditional ruler, his chiefs-in-Council and Okeelerin community for permanently donating the objects to the museum. Prince Adeoye stated, “On behalf of the Director-General of the NCMM, Prof. Abba Isa Tijani, our management team and workers at the Commission’s branch here, I thank Kabiesi and all the chiefs here present for the laudable contributions. May Kabiesi live long. I thank the individual donors for believing in us and for their readiness to preserve our culture.
“What we did today was about the progress of our society. In the absence of culture, there will be a lot of criminalities. Our culture will expose us to the tenets of the society; that is, our dos and don’ts.
“We came to see our father for the promotion and preservation of our culture. We met the Kabiesi two weeks ago to discuss the presence of the museum. He was very enthusiastic about our mission. We demanded from him that we need objects that reflect out culture, tradition and civilisation.
“Today, he has presented us with some objects which we are now taking to the museum so that our unborn generations will be able to see it in the nearest future. “Kabiesi also invited Ajomogbodo, a masquerade with space-sitting prowess. We have earlier met Kabiesis Onpetu, Olopete, Olotamokun and other traditional rulers for assistance in terms of objects and they have pledged their supports. “It is important to note that some of the objects that we are talking about now can’t be bought with money. It has to be from our ancient communities.”
In his speech, the chairman of Okeelerin community, Pa Hassan Alabi, who also lauded the activities of NCMM in Ogbomoson on behalf of Oba Amao, welcomed the personnel of NCMM of Ogbomoso branch for their sensitisation towards equipping the museum office and preserving the cultural heritage of the communities around the zone.
Sometimes it is better to retain those historic objects at the community center for cultural heritage and preservation than for them to be offered national museum, may I bet you, at any time, those artifacts would be transferred to some other places and they may not be traceable or available to the land any longer.
You’re very correct, Dr.