Traditionalist criticizes Yetunde Barnabas for misrepresenting Yoruba gods in new film

A traditionalist, Abiola Rosanwo, has criticized Nollywood actress and filmmaker Yetunde Barnabas over how she portrayed Yoruba deities in her new film, Olokun Mermaid. Rosanwo claims Barnabas misrepresents the Isese tradition.

Rosanwo, who calls herself the Yeye Owonrin Ojose Isara Remo and a guardian of Yoruba Isese tradition, made her complaints in a series of Facebook posts on Saturday. She insisted that neither Yemoja nor Olokun should be shown as mermaids or fish-like beings.

Barnabas, who produced the movie, said it was first named Yemoja before it was changed to Olokun Mermaid. She explained on her Instagram page on Saturday that the title change happened after she found out that some YouTube channels were already using her image to promote a different film titled Yemoja.

Rosanwo questioned this decision. She asked, "If the name of your movie was Ogun, can you change the name to Sango after production? Yemoja is not Olokun. Olokun is not a mermaid. Yemoja also is not a mermaid or a fish."

She argued that this change shows a lack of understanding of Yoruba beliefs. She insisted that Yemoja, Olokun and Osun are separate deities with their own identities. "Across Yoruba land, Isese is one. No one has a record of Yemoja as a fish or mermaid. Osun, Yemoja and Olokun are not the same," she said.

Rosanwo also claimed that repeatedly showing Yoruba gods as "Mammy Water" or half-human, half-fish creatures is distorting local beliefs. "Our Irúnmọlẹ̀ are not mythical half-human, half-fish creatures. They are sacred divine beings. Those who later became Òrìṣà walked the earth as complete human beings before their transition. To replace that heritage with foreign imagery is to misinform the public and dishonour our cultural and spiritual legacy," she added.

Rosanwo mentioned that members of the Molokun sect from Ijebu and other parts of Yorubaland have reported this issue to the right authorities, including the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN).

In an open letter to the NFVCB, TAMPAN, filmmakers and the public, she asked for a review of the movie before it comes out. She stressed that her concern is not about stopping creativity but about making sure Yoruba indigenous religion is accurately represented.

"My concern was never directed at creativity or artistic expression. Rather, it stemmed from the responsibility we all share to protect the integrity of sacred indigenous traditions," she said.

Rosanwo also stated that Olokun, in true Yoruba Isese tradition, is "a revered male Irúnmọlẹ̀" and should not be shown as a mermaid.

In a follow-up update, Rosanwo said that officials from the NFVCB and TAMPAN have responded to her complaints and are looking into the issues raised.

"I write this open letter with profound appreciation and sincere gratitude to the leadership of the National Film and Video Censors Board and the leadership of TAMPAN, Remo Zone Ogun State, for your prompt response and swift intervention," she wrote.

She hopes that this would lead to better cooperation between filmmakers and recognized custodians of Yoruba indigenous knowledge when traditional religion is shown in films.