Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has openly criticized Yoruba monarchs, accusing many of them of abandoning the traditional religious values they are supposed to uphold. In a post shared on his Instagram story, Kuti claimed that a significant number of Yoruba kings no longer believe in Yoruba deities, yet continue to occupy traditional thrones.
“90 percent of Yoruba kings don’t believe in Yoruba gods yet they sit on Yoruba thrones and make a mockery of what it means to be Yoruba,” Kuti wrote.
His comments come shortly after the Ojude Oba festival, a major cultural event among the Yoruba. Kuti expressed disappointment at what he sees as a disconnect between the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people and the current conduct of their traditional rulers. He lamented, “Fanfare in the midst of misery. Joy in the face of poverty and glamor in the presence of ignorance.”
He concluded by urging a more meaningful embrace of Yoruba identity, stating, “Being Yoruba is not a festival!” Kuti also remarked, “There is no bigger criminal than the benevolent king/dictator,” further emphasizing his criticism of the current state of traditional leadership.
