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All roads lead to the Open Grounds, Prestone Drive Orleans, Ottawa, Canada, this weekend as the Yoruba and Black community in the capital of the North American country rally for a spectacular festival of African culture and arts.
Tagged Asa (Heritage) Day, it is the first in a planned annual series to foster solidarity among members of Isokan Yoruba Ottawa, Canada, the umbrella group of Yoruba resident in the city, as well as preserve and promote the Yoruba cultural identity within the racial mosaic of the Canadian society.
The cultural fiesta will, according to the group’s President, Pastor (Dr.) Mrs. Nike Oyetoran and chairperson of the event planning committee, Pastor (Mrs.) Idowu Ladeinde, feature a colourful tribe-by-tribe parade of the association members, poetry recitation, story-telling, drumming, dance, drama sketches, exhibition of heritage cuisines, cultural displays and entertainment by various artists, music bands and cultural troupes on Saturday.
The grand finale will be preceded by a colloquium on Friday, at Trinity Hall, Prestone Drive Orleans, Ottawa.
Panellists at the talk-shop, drawn from the academia, traditional institution, business community, the media and culture industry will speak on the theme: “Yoruba History, Evolution and Culture.”
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Discussants include Oba Jemiyo Owagbemi, the Alagba of Agba, Oka; Prof. Ojo Oloruntoba, a teacher at Carleton University, Ottawa and founder, Africa Indigenous Knowledge Research Network; Aremo Kehinde Idowu, a Canada-based entrepreneur and community leader; Oyeyinka Fabowale, veteran journalist; and Dr. Oluwakayode Sodunke, a theatre and communication expert. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Adewale Shoba.
Other highlights of the programme are: kahoot (quiz competition), exhibition of artifacts and handcrafted products, Spoken Word performances and Writer’s presentations.
Ladeinde said two prominent traditional rulers from the South West, the Alagba of Agba, Oka, Oba Jemiyo Owagbemi and Oba Adeagbo, Ilufemiloye in Ekiti State; and his wife, Olori Bidemi; the Mayor of the city, Mark Sutcliffe; as well as leaders of thought; scholars and artists from Nigeria and the diaspora are expected to grace the occasion.
Also billed to attend are Igbo association, members of the diplomatic community and ethnic union from Africa, the Americas and Caribbean countries, notably Ghana, Togo, Republic of Benin, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago in Canada.
