Isokan Yoruba Magazine,
Fall 1996/Winter 1997 , Volume III No. I, Page 23.
Egbe Isokan Yoruba: Milestones 1996,
By Ganiat Enifeni.
The 2nd Annual Yoruba month activities, of Egbe
Isokan Yoruba, concluded this August on a high note. Yoruba month
activities, most of which took place in July , is Egbe Isokan's
way of highlighting the richness of Yoruba culture for the
American people.
Our first activity took place on Thursday July
4th, 1996 as part of the Fourth of July Parade in
Washington, D.C. The Isokan contingent featured Igunnu and
Agere all of which attracted the attention of American
spectators. In addition, the gaily dressed Isokan members caused
onlookers to pay attention to the uniqueness of Yoruba fashions.
Saturday July 6th brought with it the premiere
showing of Igbeyawo, a Yoruba play extolling the virtues
of our engagement and marriage customs. The low turnout did not
have much impact on the high volume of chit-chat that took place
during the live performance! The actors and actresses garnered
applause from many of those that attended the event. The play's
point: Marriage in Yorubaland is all about uniting families, via
delicate diplomacy was well received.
Yoruba Culture in the Diaspora took place on Saturday July 13th. There was a lecture on the influence of Yoruba culture on religions and philosophical tradittions in the Africa and Diaspora by Professor Ropo Sekoni. Representatives of Brazillian, Cuba and Trinidadian communities spoke on the need for cooperation between the Yoruba in the homeland and their descendants in the Diaspora.
The Yoruba Excellence Awards and Fundraising
Dinner, held on Friday July 19th, was a momentous evening.
Granted, our room setup ran excruciatingly close to start up
time, but you had to admire how elegant and welcoming the decor
looked after we had finished. And the turnout was encoraging, as
Howard University's ballroom was packed! Although Chief
Adekunle Ajasin, one of the awardees was unable to be with
us, we were quite pleased to be graced with the presence of Chief
Anthony Enahoro, CFR, who was the keynote speaker and the
receiver of the award for heroic sacrifice for the cause of
democracy in Nigeria. His remarks that evening provided food for
thought for the audience. It was however the articulate remarks
of Ms. Hafsat Abiola, daughter of the late Kudirat
Abiola who received a post humous award on behalf of her
mother, further enriched the ocassion. Ms. Abiola, was
present to receive Egbe Isokan Yoruba's Excellence Award
posthumously on behalf of her mother. Ms. Abiola provided
a picture of reserved stoicism in the face of very daunting odds.
She touched the very soul of those present with her gracious
acceptance speech. The standing ovation she received afterwards
bore testimony to that fact. Chief M.A. Ajasin's award was
received on his behalf by the president of Egbe Omo Owo, Dr.
Joel Ademisoye.
A flurry of activities at the International
Mall, Langley Park, Maryland, on Saturday July 20th heralded the
Yoruba Fashion Show. About 25 young people graced the mall
and our culture, as they stepped along the mall aisles, with the
latest in Yoruba couture. With about 100 outfits showcasing
business, ceremonial, and casual wears, the young models showed a
refreshing 'Yoruba face' to mall shoppers, and guests alike.
The 1st Yoruba Picnic was our last
Yoruba month activity. The picnic was attended by members of Egbe
Isokan Yoruba and members of all Yoruba sub-ethnic associations
in the Washington metropolitan area. It was a day of fun and
pageantry, as Folly Peperempe and Agere and Igunnu
performers provided excitement for both adults and children.
Ganiat Enifeni is the Social Secretary of
Egbe Isokan Yoruba and one of the Coordinators of Yoruba Month
Planning Committee.
For More Information Contact:
Egbe Isokan Yoruba
P.O. Box 90832, Washington, DC 20090
Tel: (202) 270-6382
FAX: (301) 499-5386
Internet: isokan@yoruba.org