Alabi Ogundepo, a renowned Yoruba poet, actor, and master of Ìjàlà, the traditional hunters’ chant, has died at the age of 84.
Ogundepo, who hailed from Saki, Oyo State, died on Monday, August 24, 2026, according to a statement signed by Dupe Ogundepo Falana on behalf of the family.
Read also: Taiwo Hassan: Curtains close on veteran actor Ogogo
For more than five decades, Ogundepo used poetry, performance, and broadcasting to preserve and promote the Yoruba language, history, and traditions. His death marks the loss of one of the distinctive voices of Yoruba oral literature and cultural expression.
He was particularly known for his mastery of Ìjàlà, a form of traditional Yoruba hunters’ poetry in which performers use chants, praise names, proverbs and vivid imagery to celebrate hunters, nature, courage and community life. He was also recognised for his command of Oríkì and other forms of Yoruba praise poetry.
