Èdè Àyàn: The Language of Àyàn in Yorùbá Art and Ritual of Egúngún by Oláwọlé Fámúlẹ̀

“…Another Yorùbá term for a drummer (àyàn) is onílù. 1 With their drumming (or drum music) that mimic the human speech, the Àyàn or Onílù verbalize words/speeches (òrọ̀ ) that is or are intelligible to the ears of their ̣ patrons, often the dance performers (oníjó). For that reason, ìlù, to the Yorùbá, is an instrument that acts as a speech surrogate (i.e., substitute). …”
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