Ifa Yoruba Contemporary Arts Trust

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Ifa Yoruba Contemporary Arts Trust

We spread Yoruba arts & culture in the UK and beyond through music, storytelling, arts and crafts.

Yoruba Contemporary Arts Trust (Yoruba CAT was founded in 1995 by Grammy-award-winning percussionist Lekan Babalola. A unique arts and cultural charitable organisation, we are committed to sharing and maintaining the integrity and relevance of Yorùbá arts and culture in wider society – within local communities, in the UK, and overseas. We initiate and execute cultural projects that identify and ex

plore themes in the Yorùbá corpus. This engenders a wider discussion in theory and practice across cultural platforms in the UK and African societies. We do this through:

Exhibitions ✅
Music concerts ✅
Publishing ✅

18/03/2025

Your destiny is in your head—literally!

In Yoruba philosophy, Orí is more than just your head—it’s your spiritual compass, your inner guide, and the key to fulfilling your purpose. When you honour and align with your Orí, you unlock the path meant for you.

That’s why we pray ‘Orí mi gbémi débi ire’, may my head lead me to good. But for your head to lead you, you must listen to it.

Are you listening to your Orí?

📸 by

24/02/2025

Ever heard a talking drum speak? 🥁💃🏾

In the hands of a master, the Gangan (the talking drum pictured above) doesn’t just make beats—it chants, praises, and sets feet in motion! One call from the drum, and before you know it, hips are swaying, feet are stomping, and spirits are lifted.

From royal courts to vibrant street parties, the talking drum carries the heartbeat of Yoruba culture. It doesn’t just speak—it commands the dance!

Today, we ask—if the talking drum called your name, would you dance or just watch?

Have a beautiful week!

📸 by

20/02/2025

What do a musician and a researcher have in common? 🤔

They’re both storytellers—one through rhythm, the other through records. And when they come together, history doesn’t just sit in books—it sings, it moves, it lives!

With Highlife turning 100 in 2025, YCAT founder Lekan Babalola embarked on a research journey as part of his work as a Creative Arts Fellow, tracing the genre’s roots. Now, he’s back to share his findings—connecting the dots for us all!

Be part of this Talk & Film Presentation, where music meets history in a way you’ve never seen before!

📅 Thursday, 27th February 2025
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Buttery Room, Wolfson College, Oxford

See you in .

17/02/2025

Thirty years…

We can hardly believe it—30 years of championing artists, celebrating diversity, and bringing people together through the power of the arts!

From a small idea to a thriving space of creativity, our journey has been shaped by you—the artists, audiences, and supporters who have walked this path with us.

✨ 30 years of unforgettable performances.
🎨 30 years of groundbreaking exhibitions.
🌍 30 years of preserving heritage and inspiring new voices.

And we’re just getting started!

Join us as we celebrate this milestone. Stay tuned—and let’s make the future even brighter, together!

10/02/2025

Just some early Monday morning musing! 😊

They say home is where the heart is—but for us at YCAT, art is where the heart goes! Whether in the rhythm of our music, or the stories we tell, our art moves with us, shaping our journeys and connecting us to home no matter where we are.

From the bustling streets of Havana to the quiet streets of Birmingham, our art isn’t just something we leave behind—it’s something we carry, and share every single day.

We are still reeling from the joys of performing at Havana! We are grateful to everyone who has supported us to share our art with the world.

Have a beautiful week, everyone!

28/01/2025

Havana is calling… and we’re answering with music!

We’re thrilled to announce that will be performing at the 2025 Havana Jazz Festival!

We are grateful to our supporters who donated and made this trip a reality.

Get ready for an unforgettable musical journey as we hit the stage alongside some of the best musicians in the world.

📅 Save the date: January 30& 31, 2025

Share with your friends who live in Cuba! See you if you are in that part of the world.

Booking info? The link is in the comment!

See you there!

27/01/2025

We understand the incredible role of musicians as messengers…

Every note we play, every lyric we sing, is a message that connects us all. Whether it’s joy, love, or truth, we believe in the power of music to speak louder than words.

We’re honoured to spread the music—join us in sharing the vibe!

How?

🎵Attend our events.
🎸Support our trips.
🎤Invite us to your events.
🪇Invite us to organise workshops.

Have a beautiful week!

20/01/2025

What can the Orisa teach us about life? 🤔

Our 16 Cowries exhibition dives into this and more.

“16 Cowries celebrates the philosophy and sacredness of the Orisa worldview. It is a way to start the dialogue about the Orisa through an artistic expression, looking into their influence among the African diaspora community and on contemporary popular culture,” says our founder

Join us for more conversations on Orisa through an artistic expression exhibition.

Discover the symbolic richness of Orisa, a tradition cherished across the African diaspora.

🗓️ Date: Preview on January 22, 2025

📍 Venue: Levett and Florey Room, Wolfson College, Oxford

Time: 6:30pm

🎟️ RSVP: https://www.wolfson.ox.ac.uk/event/erindinlogun-16-cowries-a-textile-exhibition-by-artist-taiwo-adediran/

Celebrate the legacy, wisdom, and creativity of Orisa through art. Don’t miss it!

09/01/2025

We are going to Oxford. 💃🏿

As creative fellows at the Wolfson College, , .luxmoore and have worked with Taiwo Adeniran on a textile exhibition showing for a month.

If you are in or around Oxford between January 20 & March 21, you should make plans to see it!

Textiles talk. Come and hear what they have to say about Yoruba culture. All details in the flyer.

See you there!

06/01/2025

Happy New Year from us at YorubaCAT.

We are stepping into 2025 with new beats, fresh energy, and boundless creativity! 💃🏾🥁

Thank you for being part of our journey. Thank you to everyone who has supported our Havana trip (link to support is still on our profile page!)

This year, we’re bringing you:
✨ More music that moves your soul
✨ Cultural experiences that connect us all

Stay tuned for exciting events, performances, and collaborations coming your way!

Here’s to a year of unforgettable melodies and shared celebrations. 🥂

#2025

23/12/2024

As the old year winds down and a new one begins, we reflect on our journey so far, our hearts bursting with joy!

We are grateful for the old year, for everyone who worked with us, for every stage we graced, for everyone that has attended our events 🙏🏿

Our bellies are filled with gratitude as we look forward to an even better 2025.

Next year is special for YorubaCAT, more info on that soon. For now, we only have good wishes!

May 2025 bring àlááfíá (peace), ayò (joy), and Ìbùkún (blessings) to you and yours.

#2025

Address

Birmingham

Telephone

+447529780879

Website

http://www.yorubacat.com/

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