A quiet cultural revival is unfolding in the Nigerian diaspora as Oluwasẹun Oladàpọ̀ Oliyide, widely known as Ìṣọ̀lá, continues his mission to preserve and promote the Yoruba language through innovative entertainment. A respected Cultural Icon, Culture Enthusiast, and Culture Advocate, Ìṣọ̀lá has created ṢoGbédè, a Yoruba game show designed to make cultural learning joyful, accessible, and community-driven.
Rooted in the belief that culture is best preserved through participation rather than fear or pressure, ṢoGbédè brings together contestants of all ages, fluent Yoruba speakers, beginners, and curious learners for three culturally immersive challenges: Kílorí (“What Do You See?”) –Reviving memory through Yoruba objects, symbols, and visual heritage; Kílogbọ́ (“What Do You Hear?”) – Interpreting talking drums, proverbs, idioms, and the musical tonality of Yoruba and KÍLOWÍ (“What Do You Say?”) – A signature Yoruba language card game encouraging tone-mark recall, creativity, and vocabulary growth.
Through these playful segments, Ìṣọ̀lá hopes to restore connection, confidence, and pride in Yoruba identity among diaspora families. “ṢoGbédè is my way of reminding Yoruba people everywhere that your language and culture still belong to you, no matter where you live,” — Oluwasẹun Oladàpọ̀ Oliyide (Ìṣọ̀lá) affirmed.
KÍLOWÍ Card Game Gains Global Adoption, beyond the show, Ìṣọ̀lá developed KÍLOWÍ, a Yoruba language card game now used by parents, schools, cultural organizations, and diaspora communities around the world. The game encourages players to think deeply, recall forgotten terms, and use language in new and creative ways. “Culture grows when people use it. KÍLOWÍ makes the Yoruba language active again in homes, classrooms, and everywhere Yoruba children live,”
In recognition of his cultural contributions in Dallas, Ìṣọ̀lá and his wife Renee (Àṣàkẹ́) were honored by the Oba of Dallas (Akilẹ̀) with the titles: Otunba Táyéṣe of Dallas and Yeye Táyéṣe of Dallas, meaning “the one who repairs the world,” the title highlights their commitment to service, preservation, and community impact.
“This title is not for display. It reminds us to keep creating spaces where Yoruba culture feels alive, present, and welcoming,” — Ìṣọ̀lá.
Ìṣọ̀lá emphasizes that he is not attempting to recreate the past, but to help a new generation carry their heritage forward with pride.
His work continues to resonate with Yoruba families across continents from Lagos to London, Toronto to Houston as he champions a simple message: Culture should evolve, not disappear.
Ìṣọ̀lá is a Dallas-based Nigerian cultural advocate dedicated to revitalizing the Yoruba language through creative tools, games, and media. As the creator of ṢoGbédè and the KÍLOWÍ card game, he focuses on joyful learning, intergenerational storytelling, and digital-age cultural preservation. He holds the traditional title Otunba Táyéṣe of Dallas, alongside his wife, Yeye Táyéṣe of Dallas.