[size=14pt]Yoruba leaders warn against extinction of Yoruba culture, tradition[/size]
Written by Adebayo Waheed
Monday, March 14, 2011


Prominent Yoruba leaders, including traditional rulers, have warned against the extinction of the Yoruba culture, traditions and language.


http://odili.net/news/source/2011/mar/14/609.html





Speaking at the public presentation and launching of an historical book, "Ojulowo itan ogun Ekiti Parapo (Kiriji)" written by Chief Jimoh Aliu, in Ibadan on Saturday, the leaders stressed the need for the people of the race to embrace their culture and tradition instead of foreign cultures.


They argued that both civilisation and religion had continued to undermine the importance and significance of the Yoruba traditions.


Speaking at the occasion, Oba Ayorinde Ilori of Faboro Ekiti said that it was unfortunate that the Yoruba had allowed foreign languages, cultures and traditions to take over theirs.


While commending the efforts of Chief Aliu in putting the historical war into writing, he said that efforts should be made in ensuring that "we do not allow our culture to die."


He said government should make the teaching of vernacular language compulsory in all the schools.


In his own contribution, the Obanla of Ijesaland, Chief Mathew Ogedengbe, called on the South-West governments to encourage the teaching of Yoruba languages in schools so as to bring back the lost glory of the Yoruba race.


While noting that the Yoruba have the richest culture and traditions in the world, he said it was unfortunate that "we have allowed foreign languages, cultures and traditions to rule us."


He described the Kiriji war as the first civil war in Nigeria saying that the decision of the author to put it in reading form was commendable adding that, it would enable people to know what actually happened before, during and after the war.


"Apart from bringing back the lost glory of the Yoruba, it will bring the people together in order to understand themselves and how to liv4e in peace and harmony," he said.


Speaking, the author who disclosed that it took him 20 years to write the book, said it became necessary when all efforts aimed at bringing the true picture events through films had been bastardized.


"We have destroyed film industry; most of the historical events have been turned up side down and I think the best thing to do is to put it in book form so that people could read what they did not know about the war," he said.


He called on governments at all levels to encourage the teaching of Yoruba language in schools and make use of traditionalists and Yoruba leaders in the areas of health and education.

waheed:

They argued that both civilisation and religion had continued to undermine the importance and significance of the Yoruba traditions.

So the Yoruba don't have a civilisation or religion?

no he means to say that european civilisation and religion hav undermined the importance and significance of the Yoruba traditions. I would suggest dat d Yorubas must first of all, drop christianity n revert to Orisha. once this is done, everything else will gradually fall bak into place. 

PAGAN  9JA:

no he means to say that european civilisation and religion hav undermined the importance and significance of the Yoruba traditions. I would suggest dat d Yorubas must first of all, drop christianity n revert to Orisha. once this is done, everything else will gradually fall bak into place. 

it means everythings gnna be alright.

I think everything will be all right with the Yoruba culture because Yoruba society in general are preserving Yoruba in their own way. In Lagos the primary language is Yoruba and the Yoruba film industry is more important then the nollywood industry in Yorubaland. One thing about Yoruba's is that they care more for their language then English, even when most are educated and can speak English very well, they still take Yoruba language very important.

Orisha is truly the answer, Yoruba must not let go of our own religion and culture. Christianity and Islam came from outside its alien religions that swallow up other cultures and religions. Do not let go of your own religion! Do not feel ashamed and let people put you down! They are confused people who has adopted foreign mindset, brainwashed into feel ashamed of their traditional beliefs.

Its just like the languages, half of the languages of the world have disappeared.

And the push to abandon your culture is especially strong and aggressive against Africans.