Duro Ladipo admiring Epa sculpture, Erinmope, Ekiti

Circa: 1970s

The sculptured works is one of the many works of the great Moshood Olúṣọmọ Bámigbóyè.

A man that wears many hats, Duro Ladipo, was one of the critically acclaimed Yoruba dramatist, but also a lover of Yoruba traditional arts and culture.

In a book Titled “Timeless Memories” Conversation between Wole Soyinka & Ulli Beier” (a compendium of private conversations between Soyinka and Ulli) Published by our Creative Director.

In the book Professor Soyinka described Duro Ladipo as a genius, saying his plays were densely poetic reflecting more on the Yoruba culture and Tradition. He also mentioned how Duro Ladipo had to be inducted into the Sango cult as a way of perfecting his craft, and when he got on stage to play “Sango” in his play “Oba K’oso”, Duro didn’t go on stage as an actor but he became one with the god during performance.

That’s why when he died on the 11th of March, 1978 during the dry season in Ibadan, it was a remarkable night with the most unbelievable thunderstorm and lighting ruling the skies that night. Hundreds of Sango devotes ran out to pay obeisance to Sango, more than just that it was Sango’s way of welcoming his own to the heavens.

Photo Credit: Pemberton, John, III, 1928-2016/ National Museum of African Art.Text