Since values are an integral part of culture and culture is what defines a people’s identity, then the values that a people hold are what differentiate them from other people.
It does appear that cultures always try to maintain those values that are necessary for the survival of their people.
For the Africans, for instance, we see that close kinship relations are held at a high premium. The synergetic nature of the society that allows people to build houses and work on farms together is directly opposite to the Western individualistic model.
In those “good old days” as some would say it was usual to see a neighbour, friend or relative correcting an erring child whose parents he knows. This was based on the true belief that the churning out of a well-behaved child would be to the benefit of not only the immediate parents, but also the society.
In the same vein, it was believed that if the child turned out to be a failure, it is not only the immediate family that would bear the brunt: neighbours, friends and acquaintances could also fall victim of his nuisance.
But today, we see people adopting more and more nuclear family patterns and the individualistic life style of the West. A friend or neighbour who tries to correct an erring child will in no time, to his embarrassment, be confronted with the question: “What is your business?”
Kinship ties and love are what characterised the traditional African culture. It is only love that would make a community, for instance, to tax themselves through the sale of the products of cash crops like oil palm and use the proceeds to educationally support a child who is brilliant. In this respect, the synergetic nature of African culture is what made the society very amiable.
However, In a remarkable show of unity and cultural pride, In a remarkable show of unity and cultural pride, In a remarkable show of unity and cultural pride, the Asiwaju Awo of Oyo and Chairman, Isese Worshipping Committee, Chief Onifade Olanipekun, accompanied by Aare Awoniran Akinwumi Ifamuyiwa, President of Omo Yoruba Ni Wa, Nigeria and Coordinator of Egungun Oba Lode Oyo, led a distinguished delegation to the residence of the Alaafin of Oyo and the Titan of Yorubaland, His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1.
Others on the entourage were Babalawo Ifasooto Ifawumi Adeyemo, Coordinator for Isese Media, Oyo; Yisel Peres Ifalade Akinlawon Adisa, President of Omo Yoruba Ni Wa, Europe; Kilian Ifawuyi, member of Omo Yoruba Ni Wa; and Antonio Avila Ifadara, member of Omo Yoruba Ni Wa, Europe.
The visit was not only a mark of respect to the revered Monarch, but also a celebration of the deep cultural ties that bind Yoruba sons and daughters across the world.
Omo Yoruba Ni Wa is a proud cultural organization rooted in Oyo, Nigeria, and dedicated to the promotion and preservation of African religion, culture, and tradition.
With active branches in about fifteen European countries and a membership of over three thousand people globally, the organization continues to bridge the gap between the Yoruba homeland and its admirers in the diaspora.
Through its teachings of African languages, the study of Ifa, and the worship of the Orisa, Omo Yoruba Ni Wa has inspired countless individuals across Europe to embrace the beauty, wisdom, and spirituality of Yoruba heritage.
Many of its members have developed a profound love for Yoruba land—especially the historic city of Oyo—and hold deep reverence for Kabiyesi Iku Baba Yeye, the Alaafin of Oyo, as a symbol of royal dignity and cultural continuity.
The visit was a moment of cultural reconnection, spiritual reflection, and collective pride—reminding all present that wherever the Yoruba spirit travels, the heartbeat of Oyo remains strong.
Addressing the delegation, The Alaafin of Oyo, and the Titan of Yorubaland, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, has cautioned the Western world against misleading ,and encouraging Africans to disrespect ,dishonour and abandon their cultural heritage.
He said African religious beliefs have been demonized and discarded to the extent that some uninformed Africans, especially Yorubas now abandon their family names in preference to names without bearing to their backgrounds.
This danger, according to him, is imminent and it is already destroying the African personality and confidence.
According to Oba Owoade, “”our religion is a cultural heritage of inestimable value. It defines us, provides understand for our life and connect us without past, so that we can chart a course of greatness and development for our children””.
He noted that the religious foundation of the Yoruba traditions and culture is presently under serious threats posed by guest faiths in Africa, adding that the parlous socio-economic conditions in Africa which is a creation of neo-liberal economic policies have continued to impoverished many African States.
Said he, “” every culture has an explanation for the creation of the Universe. The Yoruba traditional beliefs see the world as a product of two connected worlds; the visible world of material life and the invisible spiritual world. The connection of these two worlds produces power that is called ASE in Yoruba cosmology. For the Yoruba, the Creator rules over the entire universe manifesting the elements of nature. These indigenous beliefs and practices are a life philosophy and natural science””.
Alaafin continued, “” we see the relationship of man with nature and universe. Revealing the ways in which humans can be in harmony with the energies of nature and the universe. It is the basis for understanding the beginning and end of life. All the elements of the visible world are symbolized as Orisa in the invisible world., using the instance of Sango, which is the energy symbolized by light as a major element in creating the universe””.
With the belief of re-incarnation, Oba Owoade argued that each of the Orisa after their ascendance soon revisited the earth with evidence.
“”Our traditional religion is part of our heritage, which needs to be preserved and recognised. The frontal attack on Yoruba religious, socio-cultural and spiritual traditions must be resisted and confronted with spiritual force.
“” The whole Yoruba race is a gift from God to me and today, Alaafin is duty bound to stand for and defence of every Yoruba soul either on the continent of Africa or in the Diaspora in a globalized world.””
Yoruba culture, Alaafin asserted, is today spreading and attracting many studies, adding that It has been said that Yoruba is the best studied African civilization and has attracted the attention of the largest number of scholars, leading to the production of impressive number of publications.
Oba Owoade stated that the Yoruba developed a highly sophisticated system of government with effective checks and balances, which was spiced with a high level of gender consciousness, adding that the Yoruba traditional system of government is indeed one of the oldest forms of democracy in the world.
“” The Yoruba have unique and rich cultures and civilisations which have remained resilient to any foreign cultural domination in spite of Yoruba contact with the Europeans. In all walks of life, the Yoruba people have utilised their rich cultural heritage to contribute greatly to national development””.
‘’We must not allow the foundation of our life to be stolen, or destroy the basis of our existence as a race, but rather to support the efforts of worthwhile groups like Omo Yoruba Ni Wa, that are astute promoters of our culture, and their affiliate unions which to my understanding has been established in fifteen European countries across the globe, in promoting and preserving salient aspects of our culture and the values inherent in them””.
