The Yoruba culture and performing arts family has recorded yet another death.
Chief Alabi Ogundepo, the legendary actor who was well-known in South-West of Nigeria for his superb prowess in traditional poetry, especially ‘Ijala’, the hunters’ chant, has passed on.
He was aged of 84.
It was learnt that the deceased’s daughter, Mrs Dupe Ogundepo-Falana, in a statement signed on behalf of the family, disclosed that the celebrated chapter died in the wee hours of Monday, August 24, 2026.
His death was also confirmed by the Baptist church in Saki, where he was a member fir many years.
The family described Ogundepo as “a remarkable literary voice whose poetry and writings reflected his deep appreciation of Yoruba culture, tradition, language, history and the human experience.”
The family expressed gratitude to individuals, institutions, traditional leaders, and literary communities who have reached out with condolences and support.
The family also requested privacy and prayers in mourning their father, adding that the funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
Ogundepo was born in Saki, Oyo State, and rose to prominence as one of the most distinguished voices in Yoruba oral literature and performance poetry.
His mastery of Ijala chants and his writings reflected a profound appreciation of Yoruba culture, language, and history, making him a revered figure in the preservation of indigenous traditions.
He was a cultural enthusiast, community leader, and mentor whose counsel and friendship touched many lives. His presence commanded respect, and his words often inspired reflection on the Yorùbá people’s shared heritage.
He was born in 1943 in Saki into a family of Ìjálá poets. His parents, Fatokun and Ogunrinola, were themselves Ìjálá performers, and young Alabi began learning the art by imitating his parents and older siblings.
He began performing publicly as a young boy, reportedly serving as a curtain-raiser for older performers and appearing at school events between 1953 and 1959.
Over the decades, he transformed the traditional hunters’ chant into a professional performance art, appearing on radio, television, stage productions, audio recordings and films.
Ogundepo became particularly renowned for using Ìjálá not only to celebrate hunters and Ògún (the god of iron) but also to educate, offer advice, criticise social ills, and preserve Yoruba history and philosophy.
Academic research on his work identified strong moral, educational and philosophical themes in his chants.
His recordings date back to early 1970s, when several of his Ìjálá performances were documented in the University of Ibadan’s Digital Archive of Sound and Vision. He also recorded extensively from the 1980s, experimenting with musical accompaniment and adapting Ìjálá to appeal to modern audiences.
Ogundepo was widely regarded as a legendary figure in Yoruba oral poetry and remained an important custodian of Yoruba cultural heritage for several decades.
