By Sola Ojewusi
The highly anticipated European tour of Jelili Atiku’s renowned performance, “My Orí is Kótùbà Kótùṣẹ,” will take place from July 4 – 22, 2024. This captivating one-hour performance, rooted in the Yoruba worldview and philosophy of Orí (Head) as the center of human existence, promises to deliver a profound and immersive experience across four major European cities.
Atiku will be accompanied by three esteemed Babalawo (Yoruba Ifa Priests): Olúáwo Awóníran Fànìyì Ọmọ́yẹni Àyìnlá (Olú Áwo Ìsẹ̀kẹ̀, Oyo State), Oluwo Ifadare Igeadubi (Olú Áwo Isaka, Ota, Ogun State), and Awóníran Akínwùmí Ifámúyìíwá (Oyo Alaafin, Oyo State). Their collaboration is set to bring an authentic and spiritually enriching dimension to the performance.
“My Orí is Kótùbà Kótùṣẹ” delves into the Yoruba concepts of Orí, Olóde (the guardian of outer space), and Adelé (the guardian of inner space), incorporating Yoruba ritual practices, drumming, and chanting to heighten the audience’s awareness of pressing global humanitarian issues. These include forced displacement and famine risks in Palestine, infrastructural destruction in Ukraine, and crises of disaster and displacement in Africa, as well as global concerns such as food and energy shortages and rising inflation.
The performance integrates sacred Ìyẹ̀rẹ̀ Ifá (Yoruba tonal poetry divination chants), sound making, and archetypal healing actions, offering a powerful message of healing and alignment of energies.
Tour Dates and Venues:
Paris, France – July 6, 2024
Venue: Cité Internationale, Universitaire De Paris
Highlight: Jelili Atiku will receive Recognition of Excellence Awards from Nigerian Diaspora groups in France. Distinguished guests will include Nigeria’s Minister of Culture and Creative Arts, the Speaker of the National Assembly, key members of the National Assembly, the Nigerian Ambassador to France, the head of the Nigerian delegation to UNESCO, and the Chairman of Ejigbo Council Development Area, Lagos. The ceremony will emphasize CIUP’s role in fostering cultural exchange and unity within the Nigerian community in France.
Venice, Italy – July 10, 2024
Venue: European Cultural Centre, Palazzo Mora, Strada Nuova #3659, 30121 Venezia
Munich, Germany – July 13, 2024
Venue: Kreativlabor Festival, Kreativquartier
Lanzarote, Spain – July 21, 2024
Venue: YORÙBÁFEST, Carpa Municipal, Teguise, Lanzarote
Contact Information for More Details:
About the Tour:
Wasiu Opeyemi Ibrahim
Director, Jelili Atiku Foundation, Lagos
Email: wasiuibrahim007@gmail.com
Phone: +234 808 368 5759
About the Performance in Paris:
Julie Peghini
Director of the Pay Foundation
Email: julie.peghini@ciup.fr
About the Performance in Venice:
Micaela SkerlArt
Exhibition Organizer, European Culture Centre
Email: micaela@ecc-italy.eu
About the Performance in Munich:
Doro Seror
Director / Artist, Zona Libre
Email: doro@dorotheaseror.de
About the Performance in Lanzarote:
Yisel Pérez Betancort
Secretary, Asociación Africa Music and Art Festival (AMAFEST)
Email: info@amafest.net
About the Award in Paris:
Dr. Mubarak Mahmud
Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris
Email: mubarak.mahmud@universite-paris-saclay.fr
This tour not only showcases Jelili Atiku’s exceptional artistry but also highlights the profound cultural heritage and humanitarian concerns central to the Yoruba worldview. Audiences across Europe can look forward to a deeply moving and thought-provoking experience.
