As she marks her 45th birthday today, Aralola Olumuyiwa, Nigeria’s pioneering professional female talking drum performer tells eelive.ng that she is working in the path that the heavens created her for. Everyone at eelive.ng wishes this phenomenal artiste happy birthday and many happy returns!
It has been almost 30 years since you started on this track, how has the journey been for you?
The journey is a potpourri of everything good and bad. I have learned from the bad experiences and the good memories keep me forging ahead, making me aspire for more and inspire me to achieve more.
The journey of life as Ara started from creation, God the father of all creations had it all figured out and as you know, He gave us all free will…I am merely acting out His script.
The talking drum, it’s a really peculiar instrument, especially for a lady, what inspired you, how did it start?
The talking drum is a rather spiritual instrument. It was a means of communication (still is) before it became a musical instrument. I was inspired to drum it as a child from a royal family in Oyo and Ondo.
I am a direct descendant of the Alaafin of Oyo and a direct descendant of the Baba Tutogbua of Ondo Kingdom. You can say it is genetic. I believe God permitted me to be Ara, coined from my real name Aralola.
My grandfather gave me the name Aralola and it means wealth or prosperity is a mystery. I always say the talking drum chose me, to communicate a message to humanity.
As a primary school student in Warrior, Delta State, I was the head drummer, through my secondary school in Fiwasiaye Girls Grammar School, Akure in Ondo State, I was the head drummer in my set.
The world was ready for a brand like Ara when I was introduced, God already went ahead if me to prepare the hearts of the world. So, let’s just say, drumming is my destiny.
You were in your barely in your 20s when you started drumming professionally. How did your people take it?
How did my people take it? They already knew. From the moment my mum was pregnant with me, she told me she knew, and she was told.
So when at barely 7 months I started exhibiting some unusual traits, she was prepared, drumming, dancing, singing. All of that came as no surprise my parents…. they already knew I was special, I was different.
My dad, (God bless his soul) was quite accommodating but equally strict and my mum was very strict, but they were in all quite understanding. I was a handful.
As a matter of fact, now that I am a parent too, I feel sorry for my parents for all I put them through. I was tough! If my child tries half of what I put them through, I don’t think I can survive it! I started drumming from age 5, so I started early
How has music treated you?
Music has been good to me. The good, the bad and the scary! Yes, sometimes I was scared, really scared but I overcame my fears. For the future, I have plans for my Drum Temple, already in the works and my Love Sanctuary.
What is with your peculiar hairstyle
A peculiar hairstyle for me is one that defines you or your mood
What are you most grateful for at 45?
At 45, what I am most grateful for is the gift of life!
