Durodola Durosomo Duroorike Timothy Adisa Ladipo was born on 18 December 1926 to Joseph Oni Ladipo and Dorcas Towobola Ajike Ladipo.
14 Facts About Duro Ladipo
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Duro Ladipo's great-grandfather was a drummer of the gangan and worshipper of the god Shango who escaped the Jalumi War with the help of Oderinlo, one of the war generals, because it was believed to be forbidden to kill a drummer in war.
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Duro Ladipo became a minister at an Anglican church in Osogbo thereafter.
4.
Joseph wanted Duro Ladipo to follow in his footsteps to be a preacher, but Duro Ladipo was influenced by his grandfather, who was a devout worshipper of Shango and Oya, and was well versed in Yoruba mythology, especially those emanating from Old Oyo.
5.
Duro Ladipo observed Ifa and Egungun festivals at Ila Orangun and Otan Ayegbaju, towns near Osogbo.
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Duro Ladipo tried hard and succeeded in exposing himself to traditional and Yoruba cultural elements, especially when living under the veil of a Christian home.
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Duro Ladipo later replicated the club in Osogbo, and it became the premier group for promoting budding artists and dramatists in Osogbo.
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Duro Ladipo started his personal theatre group in 1961, but he became fully established with the founding of the Mbari Mbayo Club in Osogbo.
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Duro Ladipo later transformed Mbari Mbayo into a cultural center, an arts gallery and a meeting point for young artists seeking to develop their talents.
10.
Duro Ladipo wrote quite a number of plays, including Suru Baba Iwa and Tanimowo Iku.
11.
In 1977, Duro Ladipo participated in FESTAC '77, the Second World Festival of Black and African Arts and Culture, in Lagos, Nigeria.
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Duro Ladipo gained fame as an actress, taking main roles in all the plays performed by the company.
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Duro Ladipo died on 11 March 1978, at the age of 51, after a short illness.
14.
Duro Ladipo had many children, among whom was Ladepo Richard Duro-Ladipo, who took after him as a theatre practitioner of note.