A 14 YEAR TALKING DRUMMER PERFORMS FOR OONI OF IFE by Dauda Awwal (UK)

DAL INTERNATIONAL NEWS Wednesday 02 December, 2019

Facts are the lifeblood of Journalism

Volume 102

UK ISSN: 2633-2728

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A 14 YEAR TALKING DRUMMER PERFORMS FOR OONI OF IFE Written by Dauda Awwal (UK)

I started talking drumming career at the age of 12 years and I am 14 -Oluwafeyisike Ayantola

Ayantola

The talking drum is Gangan is a smaller drum, played with a curved 1

stick in West Africa and it can be regulated to mimic the tone and prosody of human speech; it has tension cords, which allow the player to modulate the pitch of the drum by squeezing the cord between the arms and the body. It vibrates to make the sound of a drum called Dundun. The talking drum was a tool the Yorubas used to assist in story-telling and communication. It first appeared in 6000 BC in Peru, 4000 AD in Oyo and Hausa lands for ceremonies, religious, rituals and social life. Tapping a drum with fingers produces a sound.

Ayansike Ayantola has performed on stages across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

She has performed alongside musical greats like Lanre Terbia, Yinka Ayefele, and King Sunny Ade. She has started her talent at the age of 12. She is a regular feature at the palaces of the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin Oyo with a special endorsement.

2

Ayansike started her drumming, God-given talent at age of 5. Ayansike Adetola (born February 9, 2005) . Her mother is supporting her talent: aiming to reach a high level of talking drumming than Aralola who is the pioneer female drummer, full-time musician among other female talking drummers in Nigeria promoting Yoruba culture.

Ayansike with King Sunny Ade Ayasikemi becomes Biola Fadayomi Foundation (BFF) Ambassador on 27th May 2019 at the age of 14. Ayansike, 14-year old left-handed percussionist, popularly known as Ayantoke.

3

The new female talking drummer, Ayansike is popularly known as Ayansik who is very delightful to watch. Her talking drum is a thunder, she plays the gangan (talking drum) at the 'age of 5'. She told Dal-News London in an exclusive interview with the publisher. The cultural female activist said the culture is a way of life.

Ayansike speaks with Dauda Awwal (UK) on how she manages to combine her school activities with her talking drum God-given talent.

Can you please introduce yourself to our readers?

Yes, I am Oluwafeyisikemi Adetula, my stage name is Ayansike, born 23rd February 2005 in Ondo City. My mother informed me that I started tapping the talent at a very young age. I started primary education very early at the Success Kiddies University, Ondo where I proceeded to secondary school at Success International College in Ondo town, presently in my final year in secondary school. Stage name Ayansike.

At the age of twelve, I started to expose my talent in Ondo town; I registered and participated in the hunt... This pushed me to work very hard and went to the bottom of all the early stages of the program. At the end of the day, I came second. This catapulted my career as those weeks of rigorous practice helped my master to know the God-given talents in me.

When did you start?

July 2016, it becomes professionally November 2017. I am from Ondo City as I said. I used to play in a band set for my primary school. Drumming has always been in me since a tender age. I attended Success Kiddies School in Ondo State; I am in SSS in Success International Secondary School in Ondo City. I will be graduating next year by the grace of God. What motivates you into this job?

I love the way talking drummers act when they drum, I enjoy listening to the talking drum and dancing to it. Foremost, I like talking drumming and started my musical career when she very young.

4

Are your parents supporting you?

My mum has always supported me but my dad did not initially but later he supported me.

How many countries have you travelled to?

None presently but I trust God that I will be traveling soon.

How many events you have attended?

So many, it's over a hundred events. I have performed for the Ooni of Ife and his wife. I have performed on the stage of king sunny Ade and I have shared the stage with a lot of great artists in Nigeria.

Who is your role model?

King Sunny Ade and my parents are my role models, my mum especially.

What do you regard as the unique character of your talking drum compare to the pioneer Aralola?

I can use my talking drum to sing all genres of music and I can chant on it. I do not play the Gangan alone; I do play most percussion‌Iya ilu, Omele, Bata, and Conga. I will be greater than her. May God bless her .

How do you manage to cope with your studies and talking drum talent?

Coping with drumming and studies is not easy, it has been tough. However, I have to do what I have to do. I am very passionate about my drumming so I have no choice than to balance it. Education is a key to success as well.

Your future vision ?

My vision is to use the talking drum to propagate the Gospel of Jesus and also promote the Yoruba culture all over the world.

What word of encouragement do you have for young girls like you?

I advise them to have good behaviour and also, they should discover their talent and do the best by following their passion. It is good for them to have something doing to keep them busy. I am mostly very busy and I don't have time for idleness.it prevents me from peer pressure.

5

Jesus Christ. My mother, father and Tope Olajengbesi are my supporters. I appreciate them all. By the grace of God, I will graduate in the next 5 years from secondary school and join University to learn more about music and theatre Arts. I see myself traveling abroad with my new brand. I will take Yoruba Talking Drum to foreign countries to inspire girls like myself. I will educate the younger generation about the talking drumming.

Which of the world leaders are you looking forward to meeting for your performance soon?

I had started drumming at the age of 5 as I said. My mother knew I was a special child from birth and she supported me when I started the career to promote Yoruba culture but my father rejected initially but later he supported me.

I will perform for the Queen of England and the UK Prime Minister, and also play the talking drum all over the world in the biggest places ever. I am in love with drumming Do you have other additional information?

Yes, I am very grateful for the gift of life and the talent He bestowed upon me and appreciate my parents for their support at all times. I also appreciate those who contributed to my life and I praise the Lord. I appreciate Dal News International London to promoting my talent and myself and your efforts personally to support me and appreciate Almighty God. Mrs. Oluwakemi, the mother of Ayansikemi told Dal-News that the family of Ayansike appreciate everyone who has been supporting her daughter in a way or another, may God bless them all.

6

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dal International News is a free online News published by Awwal Production International London.Telephone:0044 746 676 7942.

Eimail:dawwal@yahoo.com. It is available at British Library, UK. Google Awwal Production International-issuu for old editions. Send your news to us, we are connecting the communities to the Word-Press through investigative journalism/breaking news.

7

8