Nollywood actress and filmmaker Yetunde Barnabas has come under criticism from a Yoruba traditionalist over the depiction of Yoruba deities in her upcoming movie, Olokun Mermaid.
Abiola Rosanwo, a custodian of the Yoruba Isese tradition, accused the actress of misrepresenting sacred beliefs by portraying deities such as Yemoja and Olokun as mermaids or fish-like beings.The controversy began after Barnabas revealed that her movie was originally titled Yemoja before she changed it to Olokun Mermaid.
She explained that the title was changed after discovering that some YouTube channels had already used her image to promote another production bearing the name Yemoja.
Reacting to the explanation, Rosanwo argued that Yemoja and Olokun are separate deities with distinct identities and should not be used interchangeably.
She maintained that, according to authentic Yoruba Isese beliefs, neither Yemoja nor Olokun is regarded as a mermaid or half-human, half-fish figure. She also stressed that Osun, Yemoja, and Olokun are different deities with unique roles and identities.
Rosanwo further expressed concern that repeatedly portraying Yoruba deities as “Mammy Water” figures distorts indigenous beliefs and misrepresents the religion’s history.
According to her, the deities are sacred divine beings who were once fully human before becoming Òrìṣà, and replacing that heritage with foreign imagery undermines Yoruba cultural and spiritual traditions.
She disclosed that members of the Olokun community across parts of Yorubaland had reported the matter to the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), urging both bodies to review the film before its release.Rosanwo emphasized that her concerns were not intended to discourage creativity but to promote accurate representation of Yoruba indigenous religion in films. She also described Olokun as a revered male Irúnmọlẹ̀ in traditional Isese belief, arguing that the deity should not be portrayed as a mermaid.
In a later update, she revealed that both the NFVCB and TAMPAN had acknowledged the complaints and begun engaging with the issues raised.She expressed appreciation for their swift response and said she hopes the development will encourage greater collaboration between filmmakers and recognised custodians of Yoruba traditional knowledge whenever indigenous religion is portrayed on screen.
