Yoruba Bata Goes Global: Artists, Culture Brokers, and Fans

258 Pages·2007·17.65 MB·english

by  Debra L. Klein

Yoruba Bata
Goes Global
Artists, Culture Brokers, and Fans
DEBRA L. KLEIN
The University of Chicago Press Chicago and London

Yoruba Bata Goes Global
DEBRA L. KLEIN is professor of anthropology at Gavilan College.
The University of Chicago Press, Chicago 60637
The University of Chicago Press, Ltd., London
© 2007 by The University of Chicago
All rights reserved. Published 2007
Printed in the United States of America
16 15 14 13 12 11 10 09 08 07 12345
ISBN-13: 978-0-226-43954-9 (cloth)
ISBN-13: 978-0-226-43955-6 (paper)
ISBN-10: 0-226-43954-2 (cloth)
ISBN-10: 0-226-43955-0 (paper)
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Klein, DebraL. |
Yoruba bata goes global : artists, culture brokers, and fans / Debra L.
Klein.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-0-226-43954-9 (cloth : alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 0-226-43954-2 (cloth : alk. paper)
ISBN-13: 978-0-226-43955-6 (pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 0-226-43955-0 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Yoruba (African people)—Nigeria— Music—History and criticism.
2. Music—Nigeria—Social aspects. |. Title.
ML3760.K54 2007
305.896'3330669 —dc22
2007018906
@ The paper used in this publication meets the minimum
requirements of the American National Standard for Information
Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials,
ANSI 239.48 -1992.
I dedicate this book to
LAMID! AYANKUNLE.

Contents
List of Figures ix
Acknowledgments xi
Introduction: Reality xv
The Making of a Yoruba Culture Movement 1
Lamidi Ayankunlé: Father of Foreign Lands 27
Sculpting Osogbo: Strategic Collaborations among Yoruba
Artists and Three Germanic Culture Brokers 58
Managing the Gap between Local and Global Stakes in
Yoruba Tradition 82
Pop Tradition: I Am Always Me 99
Antipolitics of Collaboration 129
Conclusion: Transgressing Reality 165
Appendix: Program, 2004 AyanAgalt performance,
Vassar College 171
Notes 177 Glossary 191 Bibliography 195
Formal Interviews and Praise Song Recordings, 207 Index 209

Figures
“Yoruba Drum Workshop with Lamidi Ayankunlé” xxviii

N Author dancing with Ojétandé group in 1997 xxix
W
Map of Nigeria showing the location of Osun state xxxvi
P
h The location of Erin-Osun in Osun state 8
Settlement pattern of Erin-Osun 9
TO
King of Erin-Osun 10
ADA
Youngest son of Lamidi in training 14

N
n Helmut practices with Lamidi’s sons before his
O
workshop. 15
Artists place their bata and dundtin drums on a straw
mat. 15
10 Lamidi and junior brother Simiyu pray after Ramadan. 34
1] The Ojéttindé group and Ayan drummers at NAFEST ’96 51
12 Osun State Cultural Center dancers at NAFEST ’96 51
13 Youngest daughter of Ojéttndé steals the show at NAFEST
"96. 52
14 Susanne Wenger’s house in 2005 62
15 Wenger and her ritual council in shrine 66
16 This portion of the Osun River is protected by the grove 69
17 One of Wenger’s larger-than-life sculptures raises hands. 70
18 Some of Ojétundé’s wives and children 91
19 Saidi wears his new cloth. 93
20 Ojéladé singing praises a few months before his death 96
21 Pop tradition: | Am Always Me 100
22 Sakira’s Iwa l’ewa emanates as she dances. 105
23 The Ojétundé group at Erin-Osun’s town egingun 107
24 The Ojétundé group at a local outing 108
25 Lamidi and his apprentices at work 151
26 Original promotional flyer 167