AP+West+African+Traditions

 In the Theatrical Worlds textbook, West African theatre is focused on the general concept of the "griot." In thirteenth century Africa, the griot was the person that kept an oral record of the local history, told stories, and sang praise for the gods and kings. Every king had their own griot; one that would follow him around and tell him stories, keep track oh his life and performed for them. The griots could men or women and were given to and from Kings like presents. They are responsible for all of the oral history of these ancient African villages. The text then goes into explaining a little about Yoruba culture and traditions.  The Yoruba culture is known for its elaborate celebrations. Whether it be a birth or death in the village or an instatement of a new chief, the Yoruba people went to extreme lengths. They have one grand festival called the Osun Oshogbo festival that caught my eye in particular. Dating back to 1370 Oshogbo, Nigereria, the Osun Oshogbo festival has been a large part of performative art in West Africa. 

Many say, the festival orginated as a yearly scarifice and celebration of the Osun river goddess, the original queen and founder of the village Osogobo, but now, nearly six centuries later, it has become an celebration of cultural events that attracts people from around the globe. This festival has become so popular around the globe that people from Cuba, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Spain, Canada, and the United States all attend to observe and participate in the week's events. The festival extends two weeks and begins with a traditional cleaning of the town, called "iwopopo".

The "iwopopo" is a day that connects all people of the village while also connecting them all to their past and the rituals of the goddess of fertility, Osun. They all come together and celebrate thier own humanity and their creator. It is also considered a day of cleansing that begins the official count down to the grand finale of the festival itself; this finale is held usually in late summer.

The finale is where we see most of the performances, including the dancing, elaborate costumes, masks and makeup. At the beginning of the event, the King lights a scared 500 year old, 16 point lamp (Olojumerindinlogun). The candle burns for the entirety of the night, and the King dances around it periodically. They do this in worship of the deity, Osun. Several different people groups come throughout the night and dance around the candle and for the King and villagers, worshipping Osun.  The rest of the two week ceremony consists of many different tribes that contribute to the festival's attendance. They bring their own unique history and culture to commemorate Osun, the goddess of fertility. 

 http://www.cp-africa.com/2015/08/12/osun-osogbo-festival-2015-celebration-of-culture-and-tradition/ http://www.nico.gov.ng/index.php/cultural-events/37-cultural-events/1149-the-osun-oshogbo-festival

http://thenationonlineng.net/osun-osogbo-iwopopo-begins-festival/ http://thenationonlineng.net/osun-osogbo-significance-of-16-point-lam