Oluwo endorses World Headdress Day, stresses cultural importance of Yoruba headgear

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Ọba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, has emphasized the significance of headgear in Yoruba culture, describing it as a central symbol of identity, dignity, and royalty.

He made the assertion on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the leadership of Ọmọ Yorùbá Àtàtà Socio-cultural Initiative (ỌYÀSI) to his palace in Iwo.

The group, led by cultural advocate, Ọlawale Ajao, paid the royal visit to intimate the monarch about the annual World Headdress Celebration and other key cultural programmes.

Speaking passionately about Yoruba cultural heritage, the Oluwo stated, “Yoruba is the most sophisticated when it comes to dressing, especially in the use of headgear. We are a tribe of crowns — hence the saying ‘Iran Ọmọ Alade ni Yorùbá’ (Yoruba are descendants of royalty).”

Oba Akanbi further highlighted the spiritual and aesthetic roles of head coverings in Yorùbá tradition. According to him, the head (orí) is regarded as the seat of human destiny, and it deserves utmost respect and protection. “Orí ẹni làjíkẹ́, orí ẹni làjígẹ̀,” he quoted, a Yoruba proverb that translates to “one’s head is the first to be cared for each morning.”

He stressed that head coverings, whether crowns, caps, or head ties are not mere adornments but serve protective and symbolic purposes.

“In Yorubaland, even prospective kings are not allowed to expose their heads. It’s a mark of honour and spiritual safeguarding,” he explained.

Responding to ỌYÀSI’s request, the Oluwo expressed strong support for the upcoming World Headdress Day, which is scheduled to hold in Ibadan on December 28, 2025, and is currently awaiting UNESCO recognition.

He praised the initiative as timely and crucial to cultural preservation.

“Our heritage is priceless. Yorùbás, and Nigerians at large, must continue to value and promote our identity — starting from how we dress, think, and honour our ancestors,” the monarch added.

Ọlawale Ajao, in his remarks, thanked the Oluwo for his royal blessings and reaffirmed the commitment of ỌYÀSI to using headdress as a symbol to celebrate African dignity, beauty, and cultural pride globally.