‘Gangs of Lagos’: We acted to protect Eyo heritage, says union

The Isale Eko Descendants’ Union has stated that its opposition to the film "Gangs of Lagos" stemmed from a commitment to protect the integrity of Lagos's cultural heritage against misrepresentation. The film's 2023 release sparked significant backlash, with the union accusing producers of defamation and sacrilege for depicting the Eyo Masquerade as a group of murderers and assassins, and portraying Isale Eko as a criminal area.

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The Eyo Masquerade is one of the most revered cultural symbols of Isale Eko and indeed Lagos. We considered it our duty to defend the integrity of that heritage against misrepresentation.

In response, the union initiated legal proceedings on May 30, 2023, against the Attorney General of Lagos State and the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board. This action ultimately led to a settlement with Greoh Limited and Amazon Prime. The resolution included a formal apology and an acknowledgement of the concerns raised by the union, which the outgoing chairman, Kazeem Adeniji, described as a necessary step to safeguard the dignity, history, and cultural identity of the Isale Eko people for future generations.

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For us, the issue was never merely about a film; it was about protecting the dignity, history and cultural identity of our people for future generations.

Adeniji emphasized that the union's intervention was part of a broader effort to prevent the distortion and misrepresentation of indigenous cultural symbols in public narratives. He stated, "The Eyo Masquerade is one of the most revered cultural symbols of Isale Eko and indeed Lagos. We considered it our duty to defend the integrity of that heritage against misrepresentation." The controversy highlighted the critical need for vigilance in protecting cultural symbols, warning against treating them as disposable or subject to distortion without consequence.

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The episode taught us that culture must never be taken for granted. Many people often assume that cultural symbols can be appropriated, altered or portrayed without consequence. The reaction to the portrayal of the Eyo Masquerade demonstrated that our people remain deeply attached to their heritage and are prepared to defend it when necessary.

The union stressed that the matter was not merely about a film but about protecting the dignity and cultural identity of their people. Through constructive engagement and legal action, the dispute was resolved satisfactorily, culminating in an apology. This experience reinforced the deep emotional and historical connection communities have with their cultural symbols, demonstrating that heritage remains central to identity. Adeniji concluded that the episode taught a valuable lesson: culture should not be taken for granted, and communities are prepared to defend their heritage when necessary, advocating for lawful engagement and dialogue in cultural preservation.

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We were not seeking confrontation; we were seeking respect for our history and traditions.