The maiden edition of World Folklore Day, a Yoruba cultural programme, will hold on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Alado of Ado Awaye Hall, National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, Oyo State. The event promises to be a colourful celebration of culture, tradition, and heritage.
The programme, designed to reawaken and sustain cultural values across generations, will begin with an Ayo Olopon game competition at 9:00 a.m., followed by the official Folklore Day ceremony at 10:00 a.m.
Among the dignitaries expected are His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), the Ooni of Ife, and his wife, Olori Aderonke Ogunwusi; Prince Tunde Odunlade, Patron of Cultural Heritage and CEO, Tunde Odunlade Arts and Culture Connexions; Dr. Abidemi Olusola Bolarinwa, Matron of Cultural Heritage and Lecturer at the Department of Linguistics and African Studies, University of Ibadan; Chief Kola Olootu; Chief Kunle Ologundudu; and several other prominent personalities.
Speaking with Oodua News, the Deputy Director of Education at the National Museum and Programme Coordinator, Dr. Olatunde Oluyemi, explained that August 22 is globally dedicated to the promotion of intangible cultural heritage, commonly known as folklore. She noted that folklore encompasses traditional arts and practices passed down orally through generations.
According to her, the programme will showcase Yoruba traditional dressing, hairstyles, Ayo Olopon, Oriki (cognomen) recitation, drumming, dancing, oral poetry, and folktales. “The core message is to help people appreciate and sustain Yoruba cultural values so they do not go into extinction. Our children must know and live by our culture rather than prioritizing foreign traditions over ours,” she said.
Dr. Oluyemi further stated that the event will be conducted strictly in the Yoruba language. Anyone who speaks English or another language during the programme will be fined ₦1,000 per infraction.
Highlights of the event include competitions in Ayo Olopon, traditional dressing, hairstyling, dancing, and oral performances, with prizes for both children and adults. Traditional cuisine such as Egbo and Ewa (beans) will also be served.
“We are giving out gifts to different competitors in the various categories, which include Ayo Olopon, traditional dancing, Hair style, traditional dressing for children adults, and others. There will also be traditional quisine of Egbo and Ewa (beans). It is important to consider the children in anything we are doing, especially in the area of our culture and traditions in other to sustain our culture from going into extinction.
We need to be mindful of our culture and pay attention to cultural practices so that they don’t fizzle away while we embrace foreign culture. This is not just a Yoruba thing, when it comes to culture, Ibo should think Ibo and also Hausa think Hausa, culture. is dynamic and very important to our existence, we should not let our culture go into extinction, she added.
“August 22nd of every year is dedicated to the promotion of a intangible cultural heritage, also known as folklore. that is the traditional arts and practices mostly passed down from generation to generation especially from word of mouth one can touch.
“Area of focus, include showcasing different traditional practices in Yoruba land including traditional dressing hair styles, Ayo Olopin game, Oriki (Cognomen) drumming, dancing, oral poetry, and folktales.
” The Message we intend to pass to people is that culture should not our go into extinction, our children should know our culture and that we should not promote other people culture above ours.
“During the programme, there will not be speaking of English or other languages, any contravention will attract the fine if one thousand naira (N1000)per gaff….We are giving gifts to different competitors in the various categories; Ayo Olopon, Hair style, traditional dressing for children and adults.
“There will be traditional quisine of Egbo and Ewa (beans). It is very important that we remember our children in anything that we are doing as regards our culture, it is important that we make them know all of these. We need to be mindful of our culture and pay attention to cultural practices so that they don’t fizzle away while we embrace foreign culture.
This is not a Yoruba thing, when it comes to culture, Ibo should think Ibo and Hausa should think Hausa, we should not allow our culture go into extinction while we embrace foreign cultures.”
She emphasized the importance of involving children in cultural events, stressing that every ethnic group should uphold its own heritage. “When it comes to culture, the Igbo should celebrate Igbo traditions, the Hausa should celebrate Hausa traditions, and the Yoruba should do likewise. Culture is dynamic and vital to our existence, and we must not allow it to fade away,” she concluded.
