Alhaja Sarata Aduke, the Iyaloja General of Oyo State and a prominent native of Ibadanland, has emphasised the importance of culture and tradition at the 2024 Ibadan Cultural Festival Week.
The event, organised by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, took place at Asiwaju Bode Amoo Hall, Ibadan House, Oke Aremo, Ibadan on Friday, May 31, 2024.
Alhaja Aduke, who was the mother of the day at the event, clarified the distinction between cultural traditions and religious practices.
She stressed that while religion and culture are often intertwined, they are fundamentally separate entities.
Alhaja Aduke elaborated that culture and tradition reflect the historical experiences of a community, including their settlement, survival, and the deities they revered, which later shaped their identity.
She asserted that celebrating cultural heritage through festivals is not contrary to any religious beliefs nor is it an affront to God. Instead, such celebrations honor the history and origins of the people without conflicting with their religious practices.
