From Nigeria to Australia: Celebrating Yoruba Heritage
Forum Theatre
Level 1
Arts West Building
University of Melbourne
Or via Zoom (link below)
Update: This event will be held both in-person and broadcast on Zoom.
With over 200 million citizens, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the birthplace of around 8000 Australians.
Yoruba ethnicity is Nigeria’s most prevalent, dating back to the Oyo Empire in the sixth century and since spreading to the Americas, Australia, and beyond.
Through its Community Engagement Grants program, the Melbourne Social Equity Institute has been supporting a new collaboration between Professor Adrian Hearn from the School of Languages and Linguistics and the Yoruba Heritage and Cultural Association of Victoria (YHCAV).
As part of this collaboration, Professor Hearn, the YHCAV and community arts organisation Suns of Mercury are hosting a celebration of Yoruba traditions and their interpretations around the world.
Presenters include:
- Ms Bosede Adetifa, YHCAV Language Coordinator
- Mr Temitope Adebowale, Storyteller
- Mr Tunde Alabi, Cultural Educator (via Zoom from Nigeria)
- Professor Adrian Hearn, Anthropologist (School of Languages and Linguistics)
- Dr Ruth Singer, a specialist in First Nation languages (School of Languages and Linguistics)
A live demonstration of Yoruba music and dance traditions as they have developed in Cuba since the 17th century will be offered by acclaimed artists Mr Aloy Junco and Mr Rodolfo “Panga” HechavarrÃa.
Join us for this celebration of Yoruba heritage.
To attend via Zoom via visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7214780962
To attend in person RSVP to Professor Adrian Hearn (a.hearn@unimelb.edu.au)
Banner image: An exchange of Ashé (vital energy) at Yoruba Culture Day, Melbourne 2019.