Grammy Award winner, Olatunji, ‘Resurrects’ in Ajido for Feast Of Legends
The Yoruba say that anyone who does something so great that he or she can never be forgotten has become an Orisha. There are several ways of celebrating these Orisha. Sometimes, sacrifices are made at the shrine of the Orisha and gifts offered. There are also feasts with drums and dance. This, precisely, was what happened on Saturday, May 24, in Ajido, Badagry when residents converged on the community’s open square, Aholu Thanji, to honour the legendary drummer and Grammy Award winner, Dr. Michael Babatunde Olatunji: The veneration of the man hailed as the first to bring African music to Western ears. By 12 noon, the serene community was already in a festive mood, as the village square was swimming with people, who defied the scorching sun and the intermittent shower of rain to celebrate the man who brought honour to Ajido Kingdom. Men, women, young and old occupied the sandy Aholu Thanji to be part of an unprecedented celebration of a legend, while masquerades, in their numbers, danced round the community in procession as prelude and traditional rites to the feast. Tagged Feast of a Legend, the yearly cultural event was initiated by Bond Africana, an organisation dedicated to celebrating African heritage, history and creativity. The festival is designed as a grand homage to iconic African figures—both historical and contemporary — who have shaped the continent’s story through leadership, innovation, arts, activism, and cultural excellence.
Ajido honours Grammy Award winner Olatunji
The serene community of Ajido in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State was in a festive mood last Saturday as residents converged on the community’s open square, Aholu Thanji, to honour the legendary drummer and Grammy Award winner Dr. Micheal Babatunde Olatunji. They defied the scorching sun and the intermittent shower of rain to celebrate one of their own who brought honour and pride to Ajido Kingdom. Masqueraders in their numbers danced round the community in procession as homage and traditional rites prelude to the big feast of a legend. Men, women, young and old occupied the sandy Aholu Thanji to be part of an unprecedented celebration of a legend. At the core of the celebration is the promotion of Ajido heritage, which His Royal Majesty Saheed Sedonu Adamson, Aholu Topon Toyiaga 1 of Ajido Kingdom, Sato dancers and Zangbeto performance and magic display represent.
When Zangbeto, Sato drums rumbled in Ajido, Badagry for Babatunde Olatunji in maiden feast
AS a build up to the much anticipated 2027 centenary celebration of Nigeria’s drum icon and 1991 Grammy award winner Babatunde Olatunji, a festival was held in his honour in his hometown Ajido, near Badagry, Lagos on May 24, 2025.
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Ajido honours Grammy Award winner Olatunji
08 Jun 2025 -
