Woke Soyinka leads pyrates in farewell to scholar Biodun Jeyifo (Video)

It was a solemn yet symbolic farewell on Wednesday as Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka led members of the National Association of Seadogs, popularly known as the Pyrates Confraternity, to pay their final respects to renowned scholar Biodun Jeyifo at the Anglican Cemetery, St James the Great Cathedral Burial Ground, Ijokodo, Ibadan.

Jeyifo, a distinguished literary critic, public intellectual, Marxist scholar and committed trade unionist, died on February 11, barely one month and five days after family, friends and former students marked his 80th birthday in Lagos.

As mourners, including members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, where he served as pioneer president, gathered quietly at the cemetery, members of the Pyrates Confraternity were already assembled in their traditional white shirts, black trousers and red regalia.

They sang, drummed and performed their customary “sailing” ritual while awaiting Soyinka’s arrival. Moments later, the Nobel laureate stepped forward and led the ceremonial procession. Holding a sword aloft, he walked solemnly towards Jeyifo’s graveside as fellow Pyrates chanted confraternity songs, including the refrain, “Another sayle, Jellu sayle / Pyrates are sailing to Tortuga.”

At the graveside, the atmosphere turned reflective as Soyinka and members of the confraternity paid tribute to a man widely respected for his intellectual depth and unwavering commitment to social justice.

Among those present were Jeyifo’s children — Okunola, Lekan and Ayoka — alongside grandchildren, colleagues and close associates.

As the Pyrates sang another farewell anthem, “Pyrates sail again / We shall sail on earth / We shall sail in heaven / Pyrates sail again,” it underscored a life deeply rooted in scholarship, activism and brotherhood.

The Pyrates Confraternity was founded in 1952 at University College Ibadan by Soyinka and six others known as the “Magnificent Seven.” The organisation later evolved into the National Association of Seadogs, recognised for its advocacy for good governance, social justice and humanitarian causes.

In keeping with tradition, the group accorded Jeyifo a symbolic “Pyratical burial,” a ceremonial rite celebrating departed members as they “sail on to Elysium.”

Following the burial, members of Jeyifo’s family and associates paid a courtesy visit to Rashidi Ladoja, further honouring the late scholar’s legacy within Ibadan’s intellectual and cultural circles.

Through the ceremony, Soyinka and the Pyrates Confraternity celebrated Jeyifo not only as a devoted member of their brotherhood but also as a towering figure in African literary scholarship and progressive thought.

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