Nigerians suffering for neglecting culture, tradition – Ifa priest, Elebuibon

Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon is a renowned cultural promoter and diviner. He is the Araba Awo of Osogbo land. In this interview with TIMOTHY AGBOR, he speaks about his childhood, work and sundry issues

How was growing up like?
From childhood through my youth, I was learning about our ways and culture. After the death of my father, I began my journey of learning about the Ifa Oracle. Our family comes from the lineage of Olutimeyin, the ancestors and founders of Osogbo town.

My father, who was a herbalist and hunter, hosted many visitors and cultural dancers, including Egungun Etiyeri from Ede and Baba Aladokun from Ikirun.

This exposure gave me deep knowledge of our language, traditions, and culture, including songs, chants, dance steps, and more.

You do a lot of writing; tell us about it.
I have written around ten poems as a poet, including Wife of Orunmila, Healing Power of the Prayer, Healing Power of the Sacrifice, Poetry Voice of Ifa, Invincible Power of the Metaphysical World, The Witness of Faith, Iyere, Compilation of 60 Ewi, and Journey of Humans. Some works are still unpublished, such as Ogun the Pathfinder and Sole Journey of a Priest.

What was your educational experience like?
My education began at home, and I later took some correspondence courses. In the 1970s, when Professor Armstrong from the University of Ibadan advised me to become a consultant, I pursued further learning.

My parents believed that sending the elders to school could lead them to adopt Western culture, which they wanted to avoid.

“MY ADVICE TO ALL THEATRE PRACTITIONERS IS TO BE CREDIBLE AND CULTIVATE ORIGINALITY. MANY HAVE ALLOWED RELIGION AND MODERNIZATION TO ERODE CULTURAL CREDIBILITY. THEY SHOULD NEVER BE ASHAMED OF OUR CULTURAL NAMES, TRADITIONS, FOOD, LANGUAGE, BACKGROUND, OR HERITAGE. THIS IS WHAT WE CALL CULTURAL IDENTITY. CLAIMING TO BE FROM ANOTHER PART OF THE WORLD IS VERY HARMFUL.”

I was later approved to teach by San Francisco State University’s Department of Black Studies. I am also affiliated with several cultural organizations, including the National Black Theater in New York.

I trained under Baba Sango in Otan, who gave me a stipend and guidance whenever he worked on journals. Similarly, I learned from Mr. Duro while assisting with plays, which further deepened my knowledge. By 2027, I plan to turn 80 and give awards to visionary and honorable individuals.

During my time at San Francisco State University, some students from other universities, including one known as “God’s Daughter,” would invite me to lecture on African Traditional Religion and Philosophy.

What is your life philosophy?
Whenever we wear good clothes, we should remember those in rags. When we eat meat, we should think of bones.

I do not get carried away by good times, and I try to endure bad times.

Can you recollect some of the movies you have participated in?
I have acted in many series, including Ifaolokan, Asorodayo, and Ile-Aye. I also collaborated with Adelove on Anikulapo, providing the concept. I took part in Jagun Jagun, among others, though I cannot remember all of them.

How many foreigners are currently under your tutelage?
Some white men come here to learn Ifa, though we do not have exact records. Recently, we appointed one of them as a chief. We are planning to create a library and already have a recording studio. We have had a significant impact, and we thank God for that.

What’s your advice to those who act in movies?
I advise all theatre practitioners to be credible and original. Modernization and religion have eroded cultural credibility, but artists should not be ashamed of our cultural names, food, language, background, or heritage.

This is what we call cultural identity.

Claiming heritage from another part of the world is harmful.

The Chinese and Indians maintain their culture through names, food, and traditions, even in professional settings.

In Africa, colonization and civilization have destroyed much of our cultural heritage.

Islam came from the Arabs, Christianity from Jerusalem, and we are Yorubas.

Today, the youth and government play a role in this decline. University graduates often remain unemployed, youths avoid farming, and many seek only white-collar jobs.

We have undervalued what could benefit us as a people.

In countries like Brazil and the USA, agriculture is supported and surplus produce is stored to withstand climate changes.