Activities’ marking this   year’s MTN Ayangalu talking     drum festival was rounded up weekend at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife with a lecture on the Spirit of the drums in the palace delivered by Oba Olusanya Dosumu, the Olowu and Paramount Ruler of the Ancient Owu Kingdom.

The week long event  event, which included a tour of selected locations in the South Western states, had  key performing groups from  the Osun State Cultural Troupe, Ayan group, Gelede from Igbogila and Ijala Ere Ode.

Speaking on  MTN’s sponsorship, the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Kola Oyeyemi, who was represented by the Regional Marketing Manager, South West, Olaolu Osundina, explained that the talking drum is an essential feature of the Yoruba’s rich cultural heritage that must be preserved.

“Our support for the Ayangalu Talking Drum Festival is to provide a cultural platform for the present generation to have deeper knowledge of the history of their roots,” he said.

He further noted that the sponsorship helps to consolidate on the brand’s achievement in supporting the unique heritage of the people. His words: “MTN is committed to enriching the cultural heritage of our communities through the sponsorship of various festival activities across the country.

Our involvement has raised local and international awareness of the richness and originality of the tradition, culture and heritage of various ethnic groups in Nigeria.”

On his part, the project manager, Daramola Morakinyo, commended MTN for its support and urged other organisations to learn from the company’s achievement over the years in reawakening and promoting African heritage. He highlighted the uniqueness of the talking drum to the Yoruba people and the need for it to be preserved.
“The talking drum is a monumental and unique Yoruba contribution to the world of musical heritage.

Among world musical instruments, it is one of the most varied in its use and application. It is an instrument equally adaptable to war and peace, celebration and lament, thought and feeling; it is a custodian of the rhythm of the collective soul,” Morakinyo explained, adding that “we cannot hope to recover the vigour and the essence of our forebears if we neglect basic  thing as the talking drum in our odyssey towards a whole Yoruba identity.”