Ogun 2023

The third edition of the tour was held with the Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism. On the first day the hall was given over to school pupils, welcomed by a banner in Yoruba: A kíì yín káàbọ̀ sí, you are welcome. They did not only watch. Students took their places at the drums, young performers danced with horsetail fly-whisks, a fire-bowl dance lit up the stage, and each school left with a certificate of participation.

The Grand Finale began on the red carpet and grew into a full stage production. The Abuletic King arrived on horseback. Dance troupes in àdìrẹ and woven prints, a chorus, a horn section and the talking drums took the stage in turn beneath the Abuletic name and village badge, until the whole company stood together, fists raised, under the lights. One hundred drummers played on the stage that day, twice the ensemble of Ibadan the year before.