In the beginning, there was only the sky above, water and marsh land below. Olodumare ruled the sky, while Olokun ruled what was below. Obatala, considered god of plastic essence, reflected upon this situation, then went to Olodumare for permission to create dry land for all kinds of living creatures to inhabit. He was given permission, so, he sought advice from Orunmila, oldest son of Olorun and the god of prophecy, wisdom and knowledge. He was told he would need a gold chain long enough to reach below, a snail's shell filled with sand, a white hen, a black cat, and a palm nut, all of which he was to carry in a bag…
The Yoruba creation myth is what you glean when you first enter John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Onikan.In the beginning, there was only the sky above, water and marsh land below. Olodumare ruled the sky, while Olokun ruled what was below. Obatala, considered god of plastic essence, reflected upon this situation, then went to Olodumare for permission to create dry land for all kinds of living creatures to inhabit.
From a revolving screen that projects the Yoruba account of creation, to the story of Esu avatars that define the Yoruba worldview are showcased in carvings and sculptural pieces. The buildings are finished in a dyed Tyrolean, evocative of the mud aesthetic of old Yoruba architecture. A metallic screen across the face of the curved façade represents a weave, a time-honoured skill found in everyday Yoruba life. A green roof ties the building to the landscape, helps to reduce the building’s thermal load and provides additional interactive outdoor space.
Mr. Damilare Ojewole, the site architect, who explained the components of the facility to guests and journalists, said the centre would educate visitors on the creation of Yoruba Empire through ‘Ile-Ori’, ‘Ori-Olokun’, ‘Esu’, among others. In a chat with journalists at the official commissioning of the centre, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf noted that members of the public would pay a token to access the facility. She also noted that the government hopes to get grants to keep it functioning at optimum capacity.
The centre will be an unparalleled experience in Lagos – a ground-breaking cultural attraction that will reveal to visitors the time-honoured story of Yoruba ethnicity – one of the most influential ethnicities in Nigeria. Yoruba experts and novices alike will be able to dive deep into the stories, myths and traditions of Yoruba heritage, encountering immersive experiences from the dynamism of Yoruba festivals to the rich visual culture of Yoruba history and ancestry.
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