Folake Aremu, also known as Orisabunmi, a well-known Nollywood actress, passed away four years ago. Born on October 10, 1960, the native of Ilu Ola was a favorite of many fans of traditional Yoruba movies for more than 40 years. Her unique style of Yoruba renditions, which included her white outfit adorned with white beads, drew many to her character.
Folake Aremu Orisabunmi died on the night of Tuesday, January 5, 2021, from an unidentified illness. Many followers were astounded to learn that the legendary white witch had died at the age of 61. Some people were unhappy to hear about her death. They believed Orisabunmi couldn’t die. The priestess who fought many witches, wizards, and evil people in films could not have died at 61. She performed her roles so well that many people believed she could solve their life problems.
Despite being born in Kwara state, she died in her Ibadan residence. Those who grew up watching the legendary white witch witnessed and loved her exceptional acting abilities, which she displayed from stage plays to cinema productions. Orisabunmi was an actress who dominated the Yoruba film industry for over 40 years as an extraordinary priestess.
True, no one is irreplaceable, but the voids and holes left by her uncommon talents and contributions to the Yoruba film industry have yet to be filled. Her interpretation of Ifa and Osun panegyrics, passion for art, breathtaking beauty, and cinematic roles will not be forgotten soon. Her unusual gifts of incantations and ifa panegyrics can be traced back to her African religious heritage. She learned panegyric rendition skills from her relatives. Her father’s family are masqueraders, whilst her mother’s family worship the Osun deity.
Folake, who completed her primary education in Eruku, Ekiti LGA, Kwara State, and went on to Eruku Commercial College, where she earned her SSCE certificate, worked for two years as a teacher and briefly as a secretary at Sunny Radio in Ilorin, Kwara State, before resigning to pursue acting and film production full-time.
Orisabunmi’s parents, like those of many Yoruba performers and actresses, were disappointed by her decision to pursue a career in movies. Her parents, notably her father, questioned her desire to move around with a male-dominated acting troupe, but her willingness and passion outweighed her parents’ objections. She eventually obtained her parents’ permission and began her performing career with the Jimoh Aliu Theatre Group.
Orisabunmi revealed in an interview that she was trained by Chief Jimoh Aliu, also known as Aworo, who discovered and propelled her to fame. Findings indicated that Chief Jimoh Aliu married Folake Aremu, also known as Orisabunmi, for six years before divorcing in the 1990s. Her marriage to Chief Jimoh Aliu did not produce a child.
Orisabunmi made her debut as a child actor in ‘Ma Binu Ori’ before rising to prominence with her first starring role in ‘Arelu’, where she portrayed a hero against the villain ‘Fadeyi Oloro’, an infamous warlord who terrorized neighboring communities for many years before being brought down. Other notable films in which she appeared include Oluwerimagboojo, Ayanmo Eda, Iya Alakara, Fopomoyo, Koto Orun, Agbaarin, Yanponyanrin, Ago Kan Oru (2003), Lagidigba (2000), Arelu (1987), and Ori Ma Binu.
