Ogundare foyanmu biography examples

By SUNDAY ADEPOJU

SUNDAY ADEPOJU, in this piece, reports the origin of ijala, how it has evolved in the promotion and preservation of the Yoruba cultural heritage, and the prevailing challenges.

One of the Yoruba culture aesthetics that is gradually disappearing is Ijala.

Ogundare foyanmu biography examples

Ijala is a song-text rendered by Yoruba traditional hunters and its history is traceable to Ogun, the Yoruba god of iron.

Worshippers of Ogun, predominantly comprising hunters and blacksmiths, render the chant to appease the deity and to pray for fortune in their endeavours, especially hunting and blacksmithing.

Jeemiisi Amuda Ogundare Foyanmu was a prominent promoter of ijala performance.

Though he died in 2012, Foyanmu pioneered the digital documentation of ijala performance while alive. The astute musician was said to have produced his first album in 1956 and thereafter had about 20 albums to his credit.

Another prominent performer is the aged Chief Alabi Ogundepo.

Since the demise of Foyanmu, Ogundepo has