Stakeholders in the preservation of Yoruba culture, tradition and religion have emphasised the importance of accurate cultural and religious representation in the media.
They also encouraged filmmakers to protect the integrity of indigenous heritage in the their works.
At a one-day interactive session with critical stakeholders in the movie industry, organised by the Isese Welfare Association, popularly called ‘Isese Assembly’ held at the University of Ibadan, the stakeholders agreed to put an end to denigrating of Yoruba divination.
The Araba Awo of Osogbo, High Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon said the collaboration was aimed at countering misrepresentation and denigration of the traditional belief system.
According to him, “This symposium is part of a strategic effort to preserve and promote traditional culture, spirituality, heritage, and religion through cinema and theatrical arts.
“We brought together key players from the film industry such as, actors, directors, scriptwriters, and content creators in order to address the contemporary challenges facing the traditional belief system, known as Isese.”
Elebuibon stressed that the initiative reflected a broader effort to ensure traditional culture and religion are preserved amidst modern media influence.
He added that, the synergy between Isese Assembly and the film industry was a vital step in ensuring that traditional religious practices are preserved for future generations, using the powerful medium of film to educate and inspire both local and international audiences.
In his opening remarks, the founder and national coordinator of the association, Barrister Ifaolepin Aderemi stated that the goal of the interactive session was to establish a sustainable platform between filmmakers and Isese Assembly to preserve and promote cultural traditions and the indigenous religion.
He said the initiative reflected a broader concern about the global portrayal of indigenous Yorùbá religion and the erosion of traditional values through misrepresentation in mainstream media.
Ifaolepin stressed that the misconceptions about Isese have been so much, noting that the role filmmakers were playing in this had been affecting the Isese adherents, as many people wrongly believe whatever they see in the movies as the truth, which was relegating what he called the most cherished African indigenous religion.
“IWA is particularly concerned with the portrayal of cultural traditions and Ìṣẹ̀ṣe religion in films and media, as misrepresentations can lead to the distortion of cultural and religious practices.
“They are not seeing it from the aspect of religion, they see it as culture. Isese is a religion of Yoruba people and it is now been practiced all over the world.
“We believe that by working closely with filmmakers, they can ensure that Yoruba culture is not only protected but also revitalised, with its rich heritage, spirituality, and religion showcased authentically and with respect,” he added.
Ifaolepin maintained that the partnership could lead to innovative storytelling, that would highlight the depth and beauty of Yoruba religion and traditions, while also countering stereotypes and misinformation.
He said this would ensure that Yoruba customs, including divination practices, spirituality, and religious beliefs are accurately represented on screen.
The national president of Association of Theatre Arts Practitioners, Dr Rasaq Oyadira said, to settle all issues raised at the interactive session, practitioners would need to hold further sessions among themselves to fashion out ways to monitor adherence to the preservation of Yoruba religion.
He maintained that his organisation would educate its members and make adequate research, especially by script writers in the film industry.
“Script writers are people who can really delve into the integrity of whatever they are writing about to get the fact out before they put their presentation on it.
“India was equally colonised like Nigeria but they have not dropped their language and religion and they are progressing than many of us that have drop many things that we have.
“If you subjugate that thing that belong to you, that is integral to your existence, other people will benefit from it, the attempt of the West in the first instance is to ensure that they nullify all thing that intrigue African values, which is your culture, your culture is your life, it is your identity”, he said.
He appreciated the approach adopted by Isese Assembly, which he considered very peaceful and proactive means of settling the issues of religious misunderstanding and misrepresentation.
The national liaison officer, National Films and Sensors Boards, South West zone, Mr Paul Ailewon opined that, the practitioners needed to still gather and do a self-regulation and be responsible for whatever they put out.
He said they needed to do holistic evaluation and galvanise the system, so as to make people know their impact by doing a lot of ground work before their films are released to the public.
Ailewon described the forum as a welcome development, saying the robust interaction should facilitate good result that would be reflected in subsequent movies and skits.
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