In a bid to bridge the gap between the Yoruba race and the rest of the world through cultural integration and globalisation, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), has officially declared Quilombo in Brazil a Yoruba territory.
The certificate was presented at a ceremony which took place in Quingoma community, in the Metropolitan Region of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, on Sunday, March 19, 2023.
The Ooni and his entourage from Nigeria arrived Bahia to an array of traditional musical performances like the Atabaques and Berimbaus.
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In his address, the foremost monarch noted that the rich and robust history of the Brazilians and the Yoruba dated back in time and that this move would further strengthen the Yoruba heritage and foster cultural integration.
Said he, “I am passionate about preserving the Yoruba culture and its deep-rooted values. This event will lay precedence for the global acceptance of the Yoruba language and culture.
“Their Babalawos are well grounded in the teachings of Ifa and can render the Odu-Ifa and its panegyrics like our Ifa priest do in Nigeria.
“They hold our gods like Sango, Ogun, Yemoja and Obatala in high esteem. They have designated days to celebrate these gods with colourful displays infused with various aesthetics. They also speak Yoruba which is one thing I love about them.
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“It’s very essential to harmonize them and also shows solidarity that we are part of them and they are part of us.
“This will foster good bilateral trade between Brazil and Nigeria and it will also put the Yoruba culture at an advantage,” the Ooni said.
The Quilombola were recognised for receiving the Yoruba people, who were enslaved and forcefully removed from their base in Nigeria during the slave trade era in Africa.
The history of the Quilombo dates back to the 17th century. Currently, over 580 families live in the area covering approximately 1,200 hectares. Quingoma has been recognised as a Quilombola territory by the Palmares Foundation since 2013.
