By Victory Aduragbemi
Some actors are born, some are made. Some are trained, some are talented. Some are combination of all. All these factors come into play to determine the appropriateness of a cast for a role when the casting director stays behind his or her system in an open air audition or table casting. Aside the look and ability to interpret roles seamlessly, there are some actors that others can hardly share their roles. They are either perfect in such role because of their family profession or specific trait. Such people and role are the herbalist actors. The understand the Ifa corpus and panegyrics.
Talented and best actors who take on the herbalist roles in Yoruba movies are as follow;
GAN犀利士
IU NOFIU
Ganiu is a Nigerian actor known for his herbalist roles in Yoruba movies. He is a talented one at that and he is good at the role he plays. He is popularly called Alapini Oosa. He has a voice texture that stands him out. He has been around for decades and he is still relevant.
He has featured in more than 100 Yoruba movies and skits.
FATAI ADEKUNLE ADETAYO
Fatai is also known as Lalude. He joined Nollywood in 1970 and till date he still does his thing so well. Some people have sort of fear for him because of the herbalist roles he takes on, according to an interview with Tribune Newspaper, he claimed that he has no mysterious power. He was one of the major actors that started the home video format with NEK productions.
Fatai is a Nigerian actor that plays out his role as expected and beyond. He has acted in many Yoruba movies and still acts. He features in skits too.
OJO AROWOSAFE
Ojo, who is also known as Fadeyi Oloro is, a Nigerian actor. He was born in September 15, 1957 in Ekiti State of Nigeria. He became popularly in the 80s and 90s for the roles he played consecutively as an herbalist, traditional soldier and a ruthless warlord.
Fadeyi Oloro was made popular by the late Jimoh Aliu in the movies Arelu, Yanponyanri, etc.
At the moment, its rumoured that Fadeyi Oloro is down on some illness and trying to be back on his feet.
CHIEF PETER FATOMILOLA
Chief Peter is the first man to act ‘PAPA AJASCO’, a lead role in the comedy film produced by Wale Adenuga. He is a Nigerian actor, teacher, dramatist, poet and a prolific playwright. He was born on the 16th of January, 1946.
He is a son of an Ifa Priest which is believed to have influenced his herbalist roles in movies. He has acted this role in several Yoruba movies.
IDOWU ADENEKAN
Idowu is a well known Nigerian actor who is popular for the roles of an herbalist in movies. This role made him prominent. He was born in 1966. His father was an Ifa Priest but, he didn’t learn the act from his father.
Rather, Idowu learnt Ifa from an uncle he lived with while growing up at a tender age.
He became popular after his role in the first movie he acted as an herbalist titled, ‘ILU AWON OKU’. He played this dynamic role in several Yoruba movies. He is one of the reigning herbalists at the moment.
Picture credit- Internet
