At a time when Nigerian culture commands global attention through music, film, sports, and the arts, two filmmakers are turning their lenses inward to preserve the foundational traditions that shaped it all.

Filmmakers Abdulafiz Shittu and Ifedayo Afolayan have embarked on a cultural documentation project focused on BÀTÁ, the revered percussion and dance tradition of the Yoruba people of South-Western Nigeria. Their upcoming documentary seeks to preserve and amplify authentic narratives surrounding the history, spirituality, and evolving significance of the BÀTÁ tradition.

In the past five years, Nigeria has experienced a remarkable surge in cultural export. Afrobeats artists headline global festivals, Nigerian films reach international audiences, and it has become increasingly fashionable worldwide to identify with Nigerian culture. Yet, beneath this global recognition lies a pressing concern: many traditional practices that fundamentally define Nigerian identity remain under-documented, misunderstood, or at risk of dilution.

Shittu and Afolayan recognized the urgency of preserving these cultural truths before they fade or are misrepresented. What began as a casual conversation between two proudly Nigerian filmmaking friends quickly evolved into a mission — to document traditional Nigerian culture through Nigerian voices and lived experiences.

Their first subject, BÀTÁ, is far more than a drum. It is a sacred percussive tradition deeply intertwined with Yoruba spirituality, dance, community values, and history.

Between July 2025 and February 2026, the filmmakers traveled extensively across South-West Nigeria, engaging with custodians of the tradition — local practitioners, historians, academics, religious leaders, and festival participants. Through immersive research, they experienced firsthand the rituals, religious significance, and communal celebrations that sustain BÀTÁ.

Their findings explore the origins and historical accounts of the BÀTÁ drum, its spiritual and religious associations, the relationship between drumming, dance, and Yoruba values, the evolution of BÀTÁ in contemporary music, and its adaptation within modern religious contexts.

Abdulafiz Shittu, who has actively filmed documentaries over the past three years and earned critical acclaim from prestigious film festivals and audiences, believes deeply in the power of documentary storytelling. According to him, “A blog may capture surface moments, but documentaries create a path to gather raw insights into any subject.”

This upcoming documentary stands as a testament to the age-long excellence of African arts — a reminder that while Nigerian culture continues to shine on global stages, its roots must remain firmly grounded. By documenting BÀTÁ through the voices of its custodians, Shittu and Afolayan aim to contribute meaningfully to cultural preservation and inspire renewed appreciation for indigenous knowledge systems.

As the world embraces Nigerian creativity, this film ensures that the foundational rhythms behind that global sound are not forgotten.