Anikulapo: Artistic evangelist @63
By Kayode Aderinokun
evangelist extraordinaire of the Anikulapo clan, erudite Programme Director. CORA generalissimo, we bow!
Notwithstanding the laurels you garner globally, we shall salute you in vernacular. We clap in stanza, as rumbling thunder herald your arrival. Talking drums know your Oriki. Omele drums mostly tinkle idiomatic phrase in deference to you. Jahman is that precious gem forged in Lafiaji waters. But EGBA fused, and Agege minted.
Cleansed in cool Ogun river at dawn, as it shimmers lazily under tropical sunshine. In its grandeur, it reflects images of the Sodeke, valiant warlord, renowned for conquest in Lisabi wars. When you clang the Ofala Ogene in Onitsha, it echos in Lafenwa, Abeokuta, because they are kindred spirits from Ajule Orun Heaven. In its congruence, it is liable to provoke and stir cogent Sakara music instinct, projected by the oracular riddle of Haruna Ishola, that is most recently modernized in the rendition of Ebenezer Obey’s promotion of Juju dance carnival. This musical Alchemy is provoked when you evoke the oriki and cosmology of egungun strain, as redolent at the height of Olumo Rock, overlooking Itoku market, from where colloquium of Apala traders chatter, sacred whispers of spirits, in conversation, reminiscent of spent Christmas bangers.
Also similar to intermittent solemn worship at Obatala shrine. This hardly derogates Jahman’s curious devotion and fixation to science and technology. The sepulchre sacrifice is total to his artistic faith,which is similar to the fanatical zeal of the Ifa Priest, in poetic surrender, except that his tools and implements differ. Ranged in assorted contemporary lexicon, but with common intensity of purpose. His tools vary from musical gangan drums to the sophisticated, AI-enabled computers. Blending ancestral suzpah to technological wizardry, the rhythm of great endeavor in assembly.
Like fura and nunu Hausa meal, you can liken the brilliance of Jahman to that of a master chef, garnishing sugar to chocolate. Like poetry-enhancing love song. Or More like honey sweetening pap. In his complex modesty, it is difficult to reconcile his extraordinary brilliance for spotting and promoting creative talents. It is not surprising that he is very intense in interrogation of intellectual subjects. He is a close Associate of Professor Wole Soyinka, as well as other scholars around the world, where he has cultivated considerable respect for his name for scholarly depth, and work ethics, which does not give much patience for excuses. We are bewildered at the deft combination of modern and ancient lores, in dance with space-age gizmo. In his rigid perspective, Jahman is also good and compassionate. Yes, he is, because he suscribes to very high level of morality and principles. Which is at variance with the lax and casual tempo of society.
Happy Birthday, Jahman! On this day, kindly permit us to go lyrical in the manner of renowned Fuji minstrel. We hail you Baba Seunrere, Baba Malia T’Oluwalase, beautiful baby to fine bi egbin; Oko Professor ojogbon ni Germany, ti o keree. Ma Jo lo. Dance with abandon. The music is sweet like Jollof, washed down with Heineken beer after a bowl of pepper soup. May this day never end.
Happy Birthday, Jahman!
* Chief Aderinokun is poet and businessman
