The ancient city of Ile-Ife, widely revered as the cradle and spiritual headquarters of the Yoruba civilization, is set to come alive with the rhythmic sounds of tradition as the 2025 edition of the Àyàn Àgalú Drum Festival takes center stage on Thursday, July 24th, at the Ooni’s Palace, Enuwa, Ile-Ife.
This year’s celebration, themed "Echoes of Ancestral Drum (Ìrò Ìlù Àtijọ́)", promises a cultural spectacle that honours the enduring legacy and spiritual significance of Yoruba drumming heritage.
Convened under the auspices of His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Arole Odùduwà and Ooni of Ife, the festival is proudly organized in partnership with the House of Odùduwà, and the Adire Oodua Textile Hub.
In a major highlight of the 2025 festival, an open drum competition will take place under the banner “Echoes of Ancestral Drum (Ìrò Ìlù Àtijọ́)”—a rare opportunity for drumming talents across all age groups to shine on a prestigious cultural stage.
Group entries are welcome, and millions of naira in cash prizes are up for grabs. The competition not only celebrates drumming excellence but also encourages intergenerational participation, showcasing the vibrancy and relevance of Yoruba cultural expressions today.
To register, interested participants are encouraged to visit @ayanagaludrumfestival on social media or call 0916 988 1002 for more information.
Àyàn Àgalú, the deity of drum and sound, holds a sacred place in Yoruba spirituality and performance culture. Celebrated annually, the festival showcases the unique craftsmanship and communicative artistry of Yoruba drumming—renowned for conveying proverbial wisdom, historical narratives, and communal values.
Speaking ahead of the event, the Ooni of Ife emphasized the spiritual and sociocultural essence of the Àyàn Àgalú Festival as a divine expression of Olódùmarè’s creativity and a cherished cultural inheritance.
“The voyage of Yorùbá drumming precedes the intrusion of synthetic foreign musical instruments that have eroded the sacred and creative materials of our cultural identities,” the Ooni remarked.
“History has it that Òrìṣà Àyàn is revered and eulogised as the spirit who speaks out from inside his wooded abode—‘Òrìṣà gbé’nú igi fohùn’—a nod to the sacred wood from which drums are fashioned.”
The Ooni further noted that the Yoruba drum ensemble—featuring instruments such as Bàtá, Omele, Dùndún, Gángan, and Ìgbìn Oríṣà—transcends entertainment, functioning as a linguistic, spiritual, and social tool within Yoruba society.
“Drums and drummers are the foundation of our music, celebrations, and spiritual expressions. Their symbolic responsibilities are deeply entwined with human existence,” he added. “We must celebrate this inheritance as a divine gift from Elédùmarè.”
The Àyàn Àgalú Festival continues to draw international cultural enthusiasts, academics, traditionalists, and lovers of African heritage from across the globe.
Attendees can expect captivating performances by master drummers, traditional dance ensembles, scholarly discussions, and colourful displays of Yoruba regalia and craftsmanship.
As preparations gather momentum, the Ooni has extended an open invitation to all descendants of Odùduwà, both at home and in the diaspora, to converge in Ilé-Ifẹ̀ for this immersive celebration of ancestral memory, musical ingenuity, and communal pride.
The 2025 Àyàn Àgalú Drum Festival is not just a cultural event—it is a revival of identity, a celebration of divine creativity, and a reaffirmation of the Yoruba people's profound connection to the sacred rhythms that have echoed through their history for centuries.