Nigeria’s foremost female talking drummer, Aralola Olamuyiwa, popularly known as Ara, has lamented the poor support given to artistes promoting indigenous culture.
Speaking at the second edition of her cultural showcase, ARA Monthly, held at Kunle Afolayan’s KAP Hub in Lagos, Ara revealed that several corporate organisations had turned down her requests for sponsorship. She noted that this lack of backing is forcing many cultural artistes to seek better opportunities abroad.
“It is disheartening that in the first edition, only two people bought tickets. For this second edition, only one person paid,” Ara said.
She stressed that Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage can only survive if brands and institutions deliberately support local artistes.
Ara entertained the audience with a vibrant performance that combined drumming, singing, and dancing. She performed “Ase”—a song inspired by her admiration of God’s creation—and “Ife”, which celebrates abundant love. Beyond the music, she urged Nigerians to embrace honesty and reject immorality.
The drummer expressed gratitude to filmmaker Kunle Afolayan for offering her the venue free of charge, describing it as an encouraging gesture in a climate where many artistes feel abandoned.
Also present was Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon, an Ifa priest and poet, who called for the revival of indigenous religion and practices. He warned against neglecting African traditions, describing culture as a vital resource that must never be relegated.
