NONGOVMEDIA

In many Yoruba towns, events are rarely complete without the presence of elderly singers and drummers — men and women who escort traditional rulers, circle gatherings, and shower anyone in sight with praises. Armed with talking drums, shekere, and chants, they turn every occasion into a stage.

But beneath the rhythm lies an economy of survival. Each eulogy is offered with the hope of a token in return — cash slipped discreetly into waiting palms. For some, this is not just performance but livelihood: a way to eat, to endure, to remain visible in a society that often forgets its elders.

Through these images, I reflect on the delicate balance between heritage and necessity — how art, once sacred and celebratory, now also becomes a plea. These 21days stand as both cultural custodians and reminders of the social systems that leave the vulnerable to fend with song.