Ayanagalu Drum Festival 2025 celebrates Yoruba heritage with drumming, youth inclusion, and global cultural aspirations led by the Ooni of Ife

Ayanagalu Drum Festival 2025 brought the ancient city of Ile-Ife to life, drawing thousands of cultural enthusiasts, traditionalists, and scholars from Nigeria and the diaspora.

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Led by His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the two-day festival honored Ayan Agalu, the Yoruba deity of the drum, highlighting its spiritual, cultural, and historical significance.

The Ooni emphasized the drum’s sacred role in Yoruba cosmology—as a medium of communication, identity, and spirituality. “I drum today for peace, for joy, and for abundant blessings,” he declared.

Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi noted the event’s global outlook, citing youth participation and international recognition. “Culture can sustain our economy, like royal traditions do in the UK,” she said.

Festival Director Adewumi Adekunle Elizabeth stressed the inclusion of youth and future custodians of culture.

The celebration featured a vibrant drumming competition, with N4.95 million in prizes awarded, including N1 million for the first-place winner.

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Drums like Bata, Dundun, Gangan, and Sekere echoed across Ife, reinforcing the cultural heartbeat of the Yoruba people.