Olówóayé goes to heaven - James Ayodele

By Noel O’tayo -

James Ayodele


It's no more news that the veteran Yoruba actor, Pa Jimoh Aliu, has joined his ancestors. There is no doubt that Pa Aliu, popularly known as Àwòrò, has indelibly etched his names on the canvas of time with drama, films and stage plays including Àgbá-Àrín, Àrélú, Yánpányánrin, Igbó Olódùmarè, Fónpomóyò, Àjálù, etc.


Chief Aliu shot into my consciousness right from Primary School. People of my age cannot easily forget the eagerness with which we awaited the Àrélù and Igbó Olódùmarè drama series on the Black and White TV wherever it was found in the neighborhood. We were so taken by these dramatic drama that we competed to memorize it and perfectly enacted them in our amateurish manner. We all shared in the Odessey of Olówóayé (acted by Jimoh Aliu) in Igbó Olódùmarè that we usually prayed for his safe return from the dreaded forest. Till today, many will recall "Wàá lo, wàá bò Olówóayé" and Òrìsábùnmi's sonorous "Ìbà oò, Olójó-òní mo júbà re" with nostalgia, as it triggers childhood memories.


My first physical encounter with Pa Jimoh Aliu and his Travelling Theatre Group was in Annunciation School, Ikere-Ekiti. As a secondary school student (maybe in Form 2 or 3), the theatre group had visited our school with the live/stage performance of Àgbá-Àrín. Our school's Dining Hall was converted to the theatre for acting. Àgbá-Àrín pitched two erstwhile friendly Yoruba communities against each in an annual Game (Àrín). The game proceeded well for minutes with its attendant mutual cheering, jeering and expectations of victory. The Kings of the two communities sat together in full regalia expressing hope to win the game. However, things went awry when representatives of one of the communities maneuver one Àrín seed to win the game and violent disagreement ensued. In the consequent free-for-all fight, many lives were lost and one of the Kings lost his indigenous crown to Fádèyí, a powerful person skilled in herbs and bad magic. Knowing the implication of the continued absence of the Crown, Àwòrò sought the assistance of Òrìsábùnmi, a powerful woman with good magic. Like the legendary Móremí Àjàsorò of Ile-Ife, Òrìsábùnmi embarked on an espionage and was brought to Fadeyi as an insane patient. In the process, she was able to retrieve the stolen crown and returned to her community to stop the raging calamity.


Those who are familiar with Chief Aliu's works will understand his concern for the promotion of Yoruba culture. In each of his works, he was able to delicately plot evil against good to underscore life's theses and anti-theses, which he usually settled in favour of good. Although Olówóayé safely returned from the dreaded forest and with goodies, it is unfortunate that Chief Jimoh Aliu has now embarked on the journey-of-no-return.


Olóyè Àwòrò, Ódìgbà, Ódìgbóse!


© AYODELE James Olabisi, PhD

22nd September 2020

joayodele@oauife.edu.ng

 

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