Mr. Hunga Hunpe, a former Master Drummer General of Nigeria, on Thursday narrated how he abandoned dancing and drumming to become a cobbler because his people have no value for it.
Hunpe shared his experiences at an event marking the 2021 World Dance Day organized by Emajo Africa Arts Initiative (EAAI) in Badagry, Lagos State.
Newsmen report the theme of the 2021 World Dance Day was: “Purpose of Dance, The Socio-Economic and Cultural Relevance”.
According to him, I came back to Badagry after working for my country as a drummer, visiting over 30 countries, only to discover that nobody has value for dancing and drumming.
“When I realized that nobody has value for culture, I said to myself, I am not going to stand on drumming and dancing; I became a shoemaker to feed my family.
“Honestly, it pains me sometimes that I came from Badagry; so, I wrote a play titled: ‘Badagry My Country’ a total dance drama.
“I still believe that one day, I will present the play, because I know we have talents in Badagry,” he said.
On how he became the Master Drummer General of Nigeria, Hunpe said he never knew he would get to the position.
“We were invited to Ososa in Ogun for a contest under the leadership of Hubert Ogunde, who was the leader of the National Troupe to select the best drummer.
“We were 150 contesters with different drums, but thank God, I won at the end of the day,” he said.
Hunpe said that there were lots of talents in Badagry, but nobody was ready to invest in dancing.
Commenting, Mr. Opeyemi Oke, the Director-General, Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture (BACCIMA), said the country was losing its arts, culture, and dance to the Western World.
Oke said this was due to the fact that we could not preserve them.
He said that Badagry was long overdue to have a talent development center, urging the local government to build one for the future of youths in the area.
Also, the Baale of Topo Island, Badagry, Chief Oluwadami Avoseh, blamed the elders in Badagry for being responsible for the decline in culture because of their religion.
Also, Miss Oyindamola Sanni, the Protocol Officer, Badagry Local Government, who represented Mr. Olusegun Onilude, the Council Chairman, said the town was rich in culture.
Sanni said the chairman was ready to support EAAI to uplift dance among youths in the area.
She commended the initiative of coming to Badagry to mark World Dance Day.
In his remarks, Miss Olutoyin Matsimouna, the Coordinator, EAAI, said International Dance Day was being celebrated on April 29, to encourage participation and education in dance.
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“This day is celebrated to give value to art; it is a wake-up call for governments, politicians, and institutions for the society to realize its potential for economic growth.
“Every year, dancers and the dancing communities in the world celebrate it,” she said.
Matsimouna said that dance as a way of preserving the culture has many benefits.
The coordinator urged the government at all levels to promote indigenous dance for greater heights.
