Culture

Brazilian Ifá Temple delegation visits Ekiti ahead of September spiritual pilgrimage

Published

1 year ago

June 19, 2025

A Brazilian Ifá delegation visited Ekiti ahead of a major spiritual pilgrimage, reinforcing cultural ties and Ekiti’s emergence as a global spiritual tourism hub

Ekiti State played host to a high-level delegation from Brazil’s Ijo Ifá Ogbe Oweyin Asíko Laye Templo this week, marking a significant step in preparations for a major spiritual and cultural pilgrimage slated for September.

Also read: Brazil celebrates yoruba heritage at 2025 rio carnival: NICO applauds cultural showcase

The pre-tour visit, which included prominent figures such as George Drives (Ifakunle), Reginald (Ifatola), Wale Orotoye, and Champion, served as both a cultural exchange and strategic planning mission for the anticipated expedition.

Speaking on behalf of the Ekiti State Government, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, Director General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, warmly welcomed the guests.

Representing Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, the ambassador praised the visit as a meaningful reconnection between Africa and its diaspora, describing Ekiti as the “spiritual womb of the Yoruba civilisation.”

“Ekiti is not just the land of honour—it is the spiritual womb of the Yoruba civilisation,” Ojo-Lanre said. “The sacred groves, shrines, and ancestral paths here are not only heritage sites; they are living testimonies of our connection to the divine.”

He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to spiritual tourism as a driver of sustainable development, adding that each visitor to Ekiti contributes to local enterprise, job creation, and a deeper global understanding of Yoruba heritage.

According to the DG, the state’s investments in tourism infrastructure, heritage site documentation, and diaspora partnerships are rapidly positioning it as a premier destination for cultural and spiritual tourism in Nigeria.

Spiritual leader George Drives (Ifakunle) expressed his deep appreciation for the warm reception, noting a powerful sense of ancestral reconnection.

He confirmed that the September journey will bring a larger group of worshippers, researchers, and cultural practitioners from Brazil seeking to engage with the ancestral roots of Ifá and Òrìṣà worship.

To support their exploration, Ambassador Ojo-Lanre provided a map detailing key sacred and tourism sites across Ekiti.

He assigned Mr Michael Peculiar Ekiran, Special Assistant on Tourism, to accompany the group on a guided visit to the sacred Ògún Grove in Ire-Ekiti—a site central to Yoruba metallurgy and warrior worship.

The visit concluded with a symbolic group photograph, highlighting a moment of unity between continents and cultures. It marked not just a celebration of Yoruba heritage, but a concrete step towards Ekiti’s vision of becoming a global beacon for spiritual tourism and cultural diplomacy.

Also read: Oyo Unified Cultural Festivals: Brazil Pledges Participation

As spiritual adherents and cultural pilgrims from countries like Brazil, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States continue to seek reconnection with Yoruba ancestral roots, Ekiti’s sacred landscapes—ranging from the Òṣun springs to ancient Ifá shrines—offer both spiritual resonance and economic promise.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”