Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has sparked conversation over the role of traditional rulers in preserving Yoruba spiritual heritage, accusing many monarchs of hypocrisy and detachment from the indigenous values they are meant to uphold.
Kuti, the youngest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti, made the comments via his Instagram story on Tuesday. He alleged that most Yoruba kings no longer practise or believe in the traditional religion of their ancestors, yet continue to occupy royal stools rooted in those very spiritual foundations.
“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,” he wrote.
He described the situation as a contradiction between cultural symbolism and actual belief, criticising what he sees as an empty performance of royalty amidst societal hardship. “Fanfare in the midst of misery. Joy in the face of poverty and glamor in the presence of ignorance,” Kuti stated.
The musician concluded by calling for a deeper, more sincere engagement with Yoruba identity and values. “Being Yoruba is not a festival!” he declared.
Seun Kuti, known for his outspoken views on politics, culture, and pan-African identity, has often used his platform to challenge societal norms and perceived injustices. His latest remarks have reignited debates about the role of traditional rulers in modern Nigeria, especially regarding their spiritual and cultural responsibilities in a society where Christianity and Islam dominate public life.
The Yoruba traditional system, one of the oldest in Nigeria, is historically linked with indigenous religion, including the worship of deities such as Sango, Ogun, and Ifa. In modern times, however, many Yoruba monarchs are known to publicly practise either Christianity or Islam, raising questions among cultural purists about authenticity and the erosion of native spirituality.
