 |
| Image: Google |
A conversation around cultural representation and artistic interpretation has emerged ahead of the release of Olokun Mermaid, following criticism directed at Nollywood actress and filmmaker Yetunde Barnabas over the portrayal of Yoruba spiritual figures in the project.
The concerns were raised publicly by Abiola Rosanwo, a Yoruba traditional worship custodian who identified herself as the Yeye Owonrin Ojose Isara Remo and a guardian of Yoruba indigenous tradition.
In a series of Facebook posts shared on Saturday, Rosanwo questioned the depiction of Yemoja and Olokun in the upcoming production, arguing that presenting the deities as mermaids does not align with traditional Isese teachings.
According to details shared by Barnabas earlier, the movie was initially produced under the title Yemoja before it was later renamed Olokun Mermaid.
Addressing public questions on Instagram, the actress explained that the title change became necessary after discovering that some YouTube channels had already used her image to promote another project carrying the title Yemoja.
Her explanation, however, did not resolve concerns raised by Rosanwo.
Reacting publicly, the traditional custodian questioned both the title adjustment and the broader representation of Yoruba spiritual identities in the movie.
“If the name of your movie was Ogun, can you change the name to Sango after production? Yemoja is not Olokun. Olokun is not a mermaid. Yemoja also is not a mermaid or a fish,” she wrote.
Rosanwo argued that the issue extended beyond a title and touched on deeper concerns about public understanding of Yoruba traditional belief systems.
According to her, Yemoja, Olokun and Osun are separate spiritual entities with distinct identities and should not be merged or represented interchangeably.
“Across Yoruba land, Isese is one. No one has a record of Yemoja as a fish or mermaid. Osun, Yemoja and Olokun are not the same,” she stated.
She further argued that repeated portrayals of Yoruba deities as mermaid-like figures or Mammy Water-inspired characters have gradually created misconceptions about indigenous traditions.
According to Rosanwo, Yoruba sacred figures should not be reduced to mythical imagery that does not reflect traditional teachings.
“Our Irúnmọlẹ̀ are not mythical half-human, half-fish creatures. They are sacred divine beings. Those who later became Òrìṣà walked the earth as complete human beings before their transition. To replace that heritage with foreign imagery is to misinform the public and dishonour our cultural and spiritual legacy,” she wrote.
The traditionalist also revealed that concerns surrounding the movie had moved beyond social media discussions.
She disclosed that members of the Molokun sect across Ijebu and other parts of Yorubaland formally submitted complaints to regulatory and professional bodies including the National Film and Video Censors Board and the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria.
In an open letter addressed to stakeholders, she maintained that her intervention was not an attempt to limit creativity.
“My concern was never directed at creativity or artistic expression. Rather, it stemmed from the responsibility we all share to protect the integrity of sacred indigenous traditions,” she said.
Rosanwo additionally stated that within Yoruba Isese tradition, Olokun is recognised as a revered male Irúnmọlẹ̀ and should not be depicted as a mermaid.
Providing an update later, she said both NFVCB and TAMPAN had acknowledged the concerns and begun engaging with the matter.
She expressed hope that the discussion would encourage greater consultation between filmmakers and recognised custodians of indigenous heritage when interpreting traditional beliefs for screen productions.
#YetundeBarnabas
#NollywoodTimes
#TrendingNow
No comments:
Post a Comment