Celebrating African Heritage
On Saturday October 1, 2005, at the Aging in America Theater, Pelham Parkway, Bronx, New York, Nigerian’s and friends of African culture gathered to catch a glimpse of what African entertainment was like. The event was widely attended, and marked a significant outing of African culture in New York City. The program was organized by Nigerian’s in Diaspora to celebrate the 45th independence anniversary of Nigeria. The evening featured different presentations from Nigerian artistes and groups based in the United States. The people that were on hand to perform included, The Odenigbo Theater based in New York , The Elegant Kaoka dancers, Oliver Mbamara, Soukous stars, Bi-Okoto Drum & Dance Theater, Jullhorms, Emma Agu and groups.

The high point of the night was staging of a play, from the collection of one of Africa’s most accomplished playwright Ola Rotimi. The play, "The gods are not blame" was performed by the Odenigbo theater. The play starts with a scene in which a mysterious stranger Odewale arrives in Kutuje village. Odewale’s arrival in kutuje coincides with a period in which Kutuje was in a tumult. They were engulfed in inter-tribal wars with their neighbors. Odewale leads the village to war and they eventually came out victorious. The village decides to make Odewale their new king, since their king Adetusa had being killed during one of the wars. Odewale on assuming the throne promises the people that he would help root out the killers of their slain king. The irony of the drama is the revelation that Odewale was the one who killed King Adetusa, who happens to be his own father. The oracle said that Odewale was the king’s son who was thought dead, since the oracle ordered that he be thrown into the forest when he was born. The theme of the play is that people should learn to take responsibilities for their actions instead of blaming powers that one cannot probably explain.

There were various cultural dance presentations, dance drama and poet recitations. The program was graced by the Nigerian Ambassador to United States, Dr Obiozor who brought greetings from the Presidency in Nigeria. The night was very thrilling and the various African dresses people were adorned in also added color to the show.

The God of Thunder and lightning

The history of Nigeria is never complete without discussing the cultural heritage of the various ethnic groups in the country. The Yoruba people who dwell in the south western part of Nigeria are an exceptional tribe because of our distinguishing cultural and religious practices. We believe in the existence of the Almighty God; we also share a belief that he has different demi-gods who serve as his ministers, and are responsible for specific tasks. One of this gods is Sango, who we Yoruba‘s believe is the spirit of thunder and lightning. The title of the drama was, "Oriki Sango - Praising the Spirit of Lightning." The play was staged at the 14th street Playhouse in Atlanta Georgia, by the Manga African dance troupe. My presence in the auditorium that evening was to reminiscence about the rich culture we have as Nigerians, even when we are away from home.

The play started with the recitation of the praise names of Sango by a young maiden in the Yoruba native language. She started with Àrìrà, which translates to the god who is as fast as lightning, Olukoso which translates to the one who cannot die and Kábiyèsí, meaning the one that cannot be queried; she went on and on singing the praises of Sango. The next scene was the appearance of Sango on stage, he was accompanied by young maidens clad in white and six clean shaved young men. Sango was clad in a red shining robe, one of the young men then yelled out loud, "All Hail Sango, The King of Oyo Kingdom.” In the play, Sango had three wives Oba, Oya and Oshun. A bad development was then brought to his knowledge that the people of Owu community had decided to stop paying taxes to the Oyo Empire. Sango then stood up fuming with rage, as he spoke fire came out of his mouth and his eyeballs glowed like hot charcoal.

He decided that war was the only option left to compel the Owu people to continue paying taxes. He led the Oyo kingdom to war and they defeated the people of Owu. The people of Oyo then trouped out gaily dressed to rejoice their victory over Owu. He also lead them to various battles, all of which they always came out victorious. Sango’s sad end came when he had a quarrel with his last wife Oya, his wife made some incantations on him and he was transformed into a deity. The refusal of Sango to offer some sacrifices to the higher deities, was said to be responsible for the efficacy of Oya’s powers on him. From that moment onwards, people have been worshipping Sango. Yoruba’s in Diaspora are not left out of this religion, a Sango temple has been built in Sheldon, South Carolina.