Nigeria’s wealthy cultural tapestry is enormously influenced by her three main ethnic teams; The Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani, and Igbo.
The Yoruba, their language, artwork, and traditions have held audiences spellbound for years. From the South-west hub in Nigeria, throughout seas all the way in which to Cuba and Brazil the place patterns of Yoruba speech may be present in Lucumi, many marvel at the great thing about Yoruba heritage.
The fascinating transmutation of the Yoruba language is a narrative for one more day. Presently, our mental curiosity is enormously occupied with Dr. Babatunde Allen Bakare’s treatise: The Yoruba Theatre from Spiritual and Ritualistic Views. From his early years in his Ifaki ancestral dwelling in Ekiti state, Nigeria, Dr. Bakare’s submersion in Yoruba lore offers him a superior discernment of all issues Yoruba.
His latest analysis, specifically, delves into the historical past of conventional Yoruba theatre to unveil how rituals affect the artwork kind. Dr. Bakare believes that “ with the post-colonial transformation of most Yoruba societies, there was a shift within the thematic focus and efficiency aesthetics of rituals and festivals from pristine traditionalism to the modern considerations of socio-political and financial experiences of the folks.”
“One out of many is the epic movie titled Sango by Femi Lasode (1997). Lasode dramatized the Yoruba ritualistic celebration of Sango ( the god of fireplace and thunder among the many Yoruba in Nigeria and diaspora). One other one is the story of the Osun Osogbo Competition which has been tailored to varied movies. Tales, legends, and tales about Ogun, the god of iron have been tailored in lots of Yoruba movies too.”
Dr. Bakare’s analysis explores the function of the standard Alarinjo (masquerade) touring theatre, the modern touring theatre, and the works of Yoruba literary dramatists. Rituals in Yoruba land are integral to festivals, and cultural practices. As an illustration, the city of Ile-Ife, thought of by many Yoruba as their cradle of origin, nonetheless religiously observes historic rites and rituals. In keeping with the Yoruba oral historical past of Oriki and Ewi, out of three sixty-five days in a 12 months, the folks of Ile-Ife abstain from rituals on solely sooner or later. “The rituals to appease the gods and goddesses in Ile Ife are all 12 months spherical, aside from sooner or later, which no one can know or guess accurately. The one set of people that can decide that day are most likely the monks and the king.” Stated Dr. Bakare.
Sustained by a intently guarded custom of oral historical past, rites and rituals reside on within the consciousness of the Yoruba folks, and these discover eloquent expression in theatrical performances and works of literary greats equivalent to Hubert Ogunde, Wole Soyinka, Ola Rotimi, and Femi Osofisan.
After studying via Dr. Bakare’s paper, the indifferent writing fashion, nice for educational precision, left us craving for a deeper understanding of the cultural referents for such a exceptional creator. It is just honest that we share the next excerpt straight from the horse’s mouth:
AUNTW: Dr. Bakare, what was your expertise rising up?
Dr. Bakare: My rising up was very fascinating. I’m the third of eight kids. My father was from Ifaki Ekiti and my mom was from Ilawe Ekiti, so that they had been each from Ekiti. They had been each strict in all their dealings with us, their kids. I and my siblings had been educated with a preferred Yoruba clever saying turned slogan; “Ranti omo eni ti iwo n se” (which means, keep in mind the kid of whom you might be) that’s, we should not below any circumstance shame ourselves, household, and most significantly, lineage in all our dealings with folks. My mother and father educated us to at all times uphold our household title above all.
AUNTW: You will have had success working as a broadcaster why the shift to academia?
Dr. Bakare: I made a decision to shift to academia after the completion of my Mphil on the College of Oslo in Norway in 2008. I began attending worldwide conferences and delivering tutorial papers too. Virtually on the identical time, I used to be given a chance by Prof. Adamu Baikie who was the then Vice-chancellor of Nasarawa State College in Keffi. I used to be in his home in Keffi to interview him for a documentary on the late Gani Fawehinmi. He was so impressed with my conduct, professionalism, and tutorial engagement throughout and after the entire course of. He then requested for my tutorial credentials and if I want to take up a part-time educating function on the newly created Division of Theatre Arts and Cultural Research at Nasarawa State College in Keffi. After all, my reply was sure! That was the start of my tutorial educating in 2010. I began recognizing the necessity to impression my college students positively in reference to among the information I’ve acquired each dwelling and overseas. It’s at all times a supply of pleasure for me when I’m with my college students. They’re so sensible however oftentimes, they don’t notice it. Provided that they’ll make investments extra time and focus extra on their research and jettison issues that trigger distractions to them. I like to study new issues due to my timeless quest for information.
AUNTW: How has the transition to turning into a school at AUN been?
Dr. Bakare: Thus far so good! It has been an exquisite new expertise. I sit up for a greater future as I work with different members of the college in order to collectively transfer AUN ahead academically and in all different areas. I can say I’m loving the brand new expertise.
AUNTW: How would you outline your educating fashion?
Dr. Bakare: My educating fashion may be described as eclectic in nature. I’m not inflexible in my educating method. Nonetheless, I’m conscious that there are a superb variety of tasks that have to be fulfilled when I’m educating in order to get the perfect out of my college students. My educating is at all times partaking, I at all times encourage my college students to share their information and experiences at school. I don’t discourage my college students from expressing what they suppose is correct. However one factor that is essential to me in all my courses is that my educating technique have to be reciprocal. That’s, I attempt as a lot as potential to make sure they achieve helpful information and expertise as courses progress and I attempt additionally to achieve from them too; studying in fashionable instances is 2 approach. Gone are the times when lectures and academics had been lords within the classroom. It’s now a partnership, however the lecturer is at all times in cost.
AUNTW: Inform us a couple of tradition shock expertise you’ve got had since shifting to Yola.
Dr. Bakare: Properly, I didn’t actually expertise cultural shock upon my arrival in Yola. I’ve traveled throughout Nigeria as a producer/scriptwriter for African Impartial Tv (AIT) for over 5 years. I do know some sure issues in regards to the Northern elements of the nation, Nigeria. Nonetheless, I’m now in Yola as a resident not as a customer. To this finish, I attempt as a lot as potential to combine into the neighborhood very nicely. You’ll be shocked fairly quickly after I converse Hausa and Fulfude to you.
AUNTW: What guide are you studying now? Inform us why it’s intriguing.
Dr. Bakare: I’m studying three books now. One is titled: Tv Manufacturing by Gerald Millerson and Jim Owens. Language and Nationwide Growth and one other one on writing for growth. I’m studying all these books in preparation for the Spring semester. I have to be approach forward of my college students. We’re companions in studying however I’m their chief.
From the classroom to his interactions with school, it’s fairly troublesome for Dr. Bakare to hide his ardour for the humanities and his tradition. Though he concedes that conventional Yoruba rituals have dwindled, particularly among the many Yoruba folks residing in cities. However, rural communities are holding hope for custom alive as they revere and commit time and a spotlight to rituals and ceremony commitments. Dr. Bakare’s full paper is on the market on-line at Researchgate.
Dr. Babatunde Allen Bakare is an Assistant Professor of English and Literature on the American College of Nigeria. He earned his Ph.D. in Drama and Theatre Research at Stellenbosch College, South Africa. In 2005, Dr. Bakare obtained a certificates in British and Irish Literature on the College of Edinburgh, Scotland. He accomplished his Masters of Philosophy in Ibsen Research on the Centre of Ibsen Research, College of Oslo, Norway in 2008. He has labored as a Producer/Scriptwriter for African Impartial Tv (AIT) Abuja for over 5 years. His areas of focus are African Theatre/Drama and Efficiency, Directing, Media Productions (TV, Radio, and Movie), Dramatic Literature, Storytelling/African Oral Efficiency and Literature, Theatre Historical past, African, British, American and Norwegian Literature.