SACRED ADE-ILEKE ISENBAYE-NLA ONIRORO: ANALYSIS OF ONA CREATIVITY TO EMBELLISH YORUBA HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY AND SYMBOLS

Abstract

Ade-ileke isenbaye-nla oniroro (big ancient conical beaded crown with veil) is a product of Ona creativity. It remains an important and valued artistic object designed for the Yoruba Oba (king), the royal palace and the community. It is a sacred object of kingship from the ancient time till date. Unfortunately, the value accorded ade-ileke (beaded crown) among contemporary Yoruba people and artists is gradually declining as a result of assimilated foreign artistic concepts and influences. However, the contemporary Ona artists who formed Onaism as a movement give high recognition to ade-ileke isenbaye-nla oniroro, not only as a product of informal training but as an important object that bears meaningful images, signs and symbols embodying Yoruba history, philosophy, culture and world view. This paper in analysis engages the Theory of Iconology, popularised by Panofsky in 1932 which provides meaning to icons at three levels of meaning. It identifies ade-ileke isenbaye-nla oniroro as a product of Ona. It further projects the importance of ileke (beads) within the Yoruba world view as well as identifies and discusses some of the iconic representations on ade-ileke isenbaye-nla oniroro of Omu-Aran, Aran-Orin and Arandun; the three historically connected towns located in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State to project ade-ileke as an art object that records Yoruba history, philosophy and world view. It recommends that beadmaking be included in the curriculum of visual arts, youths be encouraged to participate in cultural activities as well as recognise and respect ade-ileke a living heritage of the Yoruba royal institution,