By Ògún, if what you are about to read contains any form of untruth, let Lakaaye make my lot the tragedy reserved for those who swear falsely by his name! Àṣẹ!
Since I announced, four days ago, my collaboration with the Igbo creators Ijeoma (@made.of.ink) and Arinze (@arinz_eekwem), I have been the object of diatribes, curses, threats, and tirades from fellow Yorùbá brothers and sisters whose nest is a particularly notorious toxic app called X. They have called me a turncoat, a sellout, a bastard, amongst many other vile appellations that should never proceed from the mouth of anyone who wishes to lay claim to the tag of Ọmọlúwàbí. This is not to respond to them in a like manner, for I have resolved not to allow them to turn me into who I am not – indeed, who I shall never become. I am writing this for the genuinely confused, to offer a background story that shall inform clarity and better understanding.
The National Museum in Onikan, Lagos, recently launched a new gallery called Echoes of the Past, a truly beautiful space which houses artefacts and sacred objects from several ethnic groups in this country. I had the privilege of having access to this hallowed space before it was opened to the public. Of course, I fell in love with it forthwith – after all, I’m not a philistine – and I immediately promised my Orí that I shall tell beautiful stories of enculturation from its diverse sections, exploring different cultures and histories beyond that of the Yorùbá. I struck a deal with the museum – without pecuniary benefits attached! – to collaborate with creatives from different parts of the country whose ethnic groups are represented by their relics, and together we shall tell cultural stories that promote national health. Again, I received not a dime for this service! I then went ahead to invest my own personal resources, mobilised my team, invited, on short notice, creators with whom I already had some form of relationship, and we all travelled miles down to Onikan, where together we painstakingly shot videos upon videos upon videos upon videos…
I have been putting them out, piecemeal, for weeks now. And four days ago, I announced to my audience the collaboration with the Igbos, and – boom! – within hours, I found myself at the receiving end of an avalanche of abuse!
Quite frankly, before I conceived the idea of these collaborations, I was unaware of the existence of certain Igbo activists, ideological circles, and online commentators who have been promoting historical claims about Yoruba heritage, which I strongly reject.
I have received calls from Yorùbá conservatives with whom I have personal relationships. They have implored me not to release the videos, especially at this critical time, and for a moment I considered agreeing. But then I remembered why I embarked on this journey in the first place. I realised that those reasons are still valid and decided that there is actually no better time than now to release the videos. Because if my purpose has always been to encourage serious engagement with our diverse histories rather than inflame division, then abandoning that purpose because of intimidation would amount to surrendering the very principles that led me there. I WILL POST THE VIDEOS!
For those who said I made that announcement to rage bait people, do not talk as if you know me, for you actually do not. And you may have to stop projecting yourselves onto me. Rage bait towards what exactly? Ridiculous! Those who know my work know that I do not manufacture controversy for engagement.
Even if I were to consider not posting the videos, your “dragging” has made that possibility impossible. Or shall I have those invectives rained upon me for nothing? Edumare forbid! I have already paid the cost. And now, to my surprise, I have realised that insults actually do not kill. Am I aware that I will lose certain Yoruba followers over this move? Certainly. But thankfully, not all Yoruba are ethnocentric, and I have learned not to judge the worth of my work by the metrics of online followership.
As I conclude, let it be known that I cannot be bullied, and that I WILL NOT BE DRAWN INTO MOVEMENTS THAT DO NOT ALIGN WITH MY IDEALS. The preservation of Yoruba heritage has never required me to hate other people’s heritage. My duty is to tell our stories truthfully, defend them jealously, and engage others honourably – if I find them sensible. That remains my commitment. I shall keep following the leading of my heart irrespective of whom it pleases or displeases. I am a man with a very strong connection to my Orí and Olódùmarè, and everything I do comes from a place of deep conviction.
Anticipate the videos!
Wàá Ṣere.
