Culture

Yoruba Heritage Protection: TYF Condemns Cultural Distortion

Published

1 year ago

August 23, 2025

Yoruba heritage protection is championed by TYF Worldwide as it condemns false narratives about Ile-Ife and calls for accurate cultural representation

Yoruba heritage protection has become a top priority for the Think Yoruba First Ogo Adulawo Socio-Cultural Association (TYF Worldwide), which is urging accurate representation of Yoruba culture to safeguard its legacy and identity.

Also read: Yoruba Cultural Preservation: Oluwo, YCE Unite for Reform

Mr. Oluwatobi Sanwo, Lead Legal Consultant of TYF, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that falsified narratives pose a threat to Yoruba civilisation and intellectual integrity globally.

The conference convened by TYF highlighted cultural defamation and historical distortion found in a recently published academic book.

According to Sanwo, the book falsely claims that non-Yoruba groups were the original inhabitants of Ile-Ife and alleges that the Yoruba were immigrants who usurped authority in their ancestral home.

Other falsehoods include claims of a fabricated empire preceding Ile-Ife, assertions unsupported by Ifa Corpus, oral traditions, or credible historical and anthropological research.

Sanwo condemned these distortions as cultural defamation, intellectual dishonesty, and potential ethnic provocation. He reaffirmed that Ile-Ife remains the undisputed cradle of Yoruba civilisation, recognised worldwide by scholars and authorities.

TYF has submitted petitions to Nigerian and international institutions and is raising public awareness to defend Yoruba heritage and intellectual truth.

The association called on Yoruba people globally to unite in defense of Ile-Ife and urged the media to responsibly promote authentic Yoruba history and scholarship.

Sanwo emphasised that TYF’s approach is rooted in peaceful dialogue and collaboration with traditional rulers, academics, and the press. “Yoruba history is sacred, Ile-Ife non-negotiable, and our identity indivisible,” he said.

He clarified that TYF does not promote hatred toward any ethnic group but will resist attempts to undermine Yoruba civilisation or distort ancestral history.

Also read: Yoruba Cultural Festival 2025 in Abuja to champion peace, unity

The association also appealed to government agencies, universities, and international cultural organisations to support Yoruba scholarship, fund research, and strengthen frameworks preserving African histories and indigenous knowledge systems.

Up Next

Afiolu Nnewi Festival Celebrates Culture, Resilience

Don't Miss

Olumo Rock Free Entry Ends as Visitor Numbers Surge

Click to comment

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.”