By Yemisi Suleiman

All roads lead to the ancient city of Ile-Ife the cradle and traditional headquarters of the Oduduwa race as the Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi CFR Ojaja II, The Ooni Of Ife lead monarchs, government functionaries, dignitaries, and cultural stakeholders to the AYANAGALU FESTIVAL 2023.

Expected to be attended by participants from within and outside Nigeria, this epoch-making cultural event is being coordinated by the AyanAgalu Ambassador, who doubles as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Adire Oodua Hub, Queen Aderonke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi.
It is slated to hold this Friday 28th July 2023 at the main bowl of the Ojaja Arena at Ife Grand Resort in Ile-Ife, and it is the second edition of the annual AyanAgalu celebrations following its maiden edition which was held last year.

While on the surface of the earth as one of the deities that Olodumare sent to the planet earth for the progress, development, and happiness of mankind, Ayanagalu consulted the Oracle through Orunmila, the deity of divination on what to do for him to always be honored, rich and celebrated among people and other deities. The related Ifa lines that came out for Ayanagalu after divination included: Ose Ologbon (Ose lotun, Oturupon losi), Okanran lotun, Ogunda Meji, Ifa Amulumola (Okanran kangun, kange, Okanran kange, Kangun) where Ifa told AyanAgalu that he would make a lot of sacrifices using materials include stick, skin and drum belt for the sacrifice. These have since remained drumming tools till date.

Oduduwa race pioneered drumming and songs(Music), endowed by the Almighty Olodumare. In appreciation of this development, deities started to call Ayanagalu to their ceremonies because only AyanAgalu could so entertain the deities who would pay Ayanagalu to grace their Occasion, the materials(drumming tools) of the sacrifice of Ayanagalu, beat the drum and sing to lighten up their events as earlier divinated

Records have shown consistently that Oduduwa race is always at the forefront when it comes to celebrations and ceremonies, this is because AyanAgalu belongs to the race.

The Ooni uses this medium to invite drummers and cultural tourists in Nigeria and beyond, to the Annual AyanAgalu Festival holding on the 28th of July, 2023 at the Ife Grand Resort in Ile-Ife. He has equally constituted a high-powered delegation to represent him at the World Drum Festival which simultaneously holds at Mississauga Ontario Canada same day.