This 1970s photo shows Duro Ladipo admiring an Ẹpa sculpture in Erinmope, Ekiti. The sculpture was created by renowned Yoruba carver Moshood Olúṣọmọ Bámigbóyè.
Duro Ladipo was a celebrated Yoruba playwright and passionate advocate for traditional Yoruba arts. His plays, like “Oba K’oso,” showcased Yoruba traditions and earned praise from Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka.
To perfect his craft, Ladipo joined the Sango cult, deeply influencing his portrayal of the Yoruba god Sango. His performances blurred the lines between actor and deity.
When Ladipo passed away on March 11, 1978, a remarkable thunderstorm swept Ibadan, seen by many as Sango’s divine welcome. Hundreds of devotees paid homage, honoring Ladipo’s spiritual connection to the deity.
This photo celebrates Ladipo’s legacy and Moshood Olúṣọmọ Bámigbóyè’s enduring artistry in Yoruba culture.
Photo Credit: John Pemberton III/National Museum of African Art
Text ©️ ASIRI Magazine 2024.
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