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Folake Olowofoyeku talks cultural impact of ‘Bob Hearts Abisola’ as final season of the sitcom kicks off
Folake Olowofoyeku, the charismatic actress at the heart of the popular CBS sitcom, ”Bob Hearts Abishola,” has shed light on the cultural impacts of the show, emphasizing the significance of authentic representation of African culture.
The show, which premiered in September 2019, follows the unconventional love story between Bob, a middle-aged sock businessman, and Abishola, a Nigerian immigrant nurse. Olowofoyeku’s portrayal of Abishola, a Nigerian immigrant navigating life in the United States, has become a cultural touchstone, breaking stereotypes and providing a nuanced perspective on the African diaspora.
Through the lens of Abishola, Olowofoyeku highlighted the difficulties of bridging cultural gaps, showcasing the challenges and triumphs of immigrants in a foreign land. The character brings forth a strong sense of identity, proudly displaying her Nigerian heritage while adapting to the complexities of American life. The series explored their unique relationship, blending humor, romance, and cultural clashes.
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Speaking in an exclusive interview with Ameyaw TV, the multi-talented Olowofoyeku shared some personal highlights of the journey on the series, which is now its fifth and final season.
She said: ‘There’s been so much growth, this is the first time in my life I had a job longer than a month. Also, the impact that the show has had on the culture, I would say is one of the many highlights. It’s giving context to the Immigrant experience, not just in America but globally and not just for Nigerian immigrants, I think every kind of immigrant and it’s shown that regardless of what we look like and sound like, we all want love at the end of the day.
”And so this show was timely, considering the climate for the world globally I think it was something that uplifted folks and provided an escape. So I’m grateful for those being the highlights that this project is associated with and in terms of the impact culturally the awareness it created for African culture,” she added.
Olowofoyeku, who doubles as a musician averred that impact has been shocking as she never imagined that venturing into the series would make such an impeccable impact on the culture.
”The impact has been shocking because I didn’t realize venturing into this would mean so much to so many people. I was just the starving artist who had been in the game for a very long time, over 15 years before I got this job. One of the defense mechanisms was to just leave it on the table and forget about it. I did the same with this project and luckily it turned out to be the magnificent gift that has been so I’m filled with gratitude for it.”
Olowofoyeku also opened up about her NAACP Image Awards nomination in the Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series category. The annual awards ceremony, which is presented by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, is held to honor outstanding performances in film, television, music, and literature.
”I felt like I was being recognized by my people and that meant a lot to me. The NAACP is responsible for the opportunity that I have in this country, and the work that they’ve done is the reason I can come to America and flourish the way I wasn’t able to do at home. I’m grateful for that acknowledgement it made me feel proud,’‘ she said.
On how her achievements have translated back home in Nigeria in terms of work opportunities and acceptance, Olowofoyeku remarked: ”It’s bittersweet because the reason I left Nigeria was because I wasn’t able to do what I’m doing here. I had to leave the home that I love. I would happily have remained in Nigeria but fate would have it that, where opportunities lay for me would be in this country. It is also like a full circle moment because going back home the acceptance that I wanted now exists so many years later doing the exact same thing I was told not to do.
” I also feel slighted in a way. I feel slighted for having to leave my home but I think the bigger plan and the greater good and something cosmically was in play, because the fact that my mother on the show has my mother’s name in real life and all the characters of Yoruba descent on the show are from where my father is from, makes it feel like there was there was greater work outside of my comfort to be done and I’m grateful for that,’‘ she added.
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Lalue’s Last Dance, as majestic display of culture brings curtain down on Prampram Kpledomi
One striking feature about the LalueKpledomi festival is the Drum or “Kplemi”. Slashed with a permanent white marker, whoever carries it, carries the soul and spirit of the people of Prampram. It is their heritage.
For bystanders, it may look ordinary to the eyes but for those closer to it, it is a spiritual heirloom that has transcended generations. And it comes with blessings. The present generation therefore has a duty to ensure the traditional transition continues.
After all, it is through the sounds from the belly of the drum that draw the crowd together, to pay homage to their cultural heritage. And through traditional rites, the evocation of blessings is thus performed in the form of dance. There is no age limit to the performance, so far as one has the limb to move. So, after the first two that took place, the third and final one came off with the full and active participation of hundreds of participants from all walks of life, including foreign tourists.
Despite its festive nature, the spiritual aspects were also not left out- they were taken care of by the traditional priests and the various priestesses in charge of various deities. A procession often preceded the celebration to the grounds. The only difference for the final one is that it often ended up in Lakple or lower Prampram, where final rites are performed, and the drum dipped into the ocean.
First, the sound of the drum must kick in for the procession to begin. Bystanders then join in. once the procession enters Lakple and before a sacred tree is circled around as part of the rites, libation is performed another sacred ground. Upon the performance of those rites, the procession then visits key homes in the area, where associated rites and dancing are performed. Among the cortege in the procession, apart from the Queenmother Naa Osabu Abbey I, Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief, priests and various priestesses responsible for various deities, Dawhenya Mantse Nene Tetteh Kodie Arden IV was also present. There were also Asafoatsemei and Asafoanyemei. After the last performance, the cortege then proceeded to the beach, where rites were also performed by the priests for and on behalf of the people of Prampram. As a fishing community, prayers were said for bumper harvests for our fishermen and those associated with the business. Prayers were also said for other professional bodies and groups. Speaking to PramcitiTV, the YouTube Channel based in Prampram, Nii Ayiku Obleh IV, “Numlor Kpanyor” or Counsellor of Kley, said the third and final Kple offers the town an opportunity to cleanse itself from negative things.
“We are mandated by the gods to cleanse ourselves in the sea and once that is done, we can now celebrate the new year,” he added.
Part of the cleansing also involves the dipping of the drum into the ocean and once that is done, the public is therefore allowed to enter sea and bath.
Already, there are talks within the town of strategically packaging the festival as one of the most important hubs for cultural tourism.
by Anny Osabutey, Alvin Nii Okai Kasabrefo, Ronnie Botchwey & Naa Merley Aborti Korley.
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