LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 15:8 August 2015
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
         C. Subburaman, Ph.D. (Economics)
         N. Nadaraja Pillai, Ph.D.
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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Ritual as Theatre:
An Analysis of Oduduwa Festival in Ikoro-Ekiti

Abiodun J. Macaulay
Elizade University

Abstract

Oduduwa festival is one of the festivals mostly cherished among the Yoruba people right from the onset. As an unforgettable hero in Yoruba history Oduduwa, after his death was deified and worshipped by the people with cult following. This paper specifically focuses on the Oduduwa festival celebration in Ikoro-Ekiti, a Yoruba town in the south west region of Nigeria. The research examines the history, origin and the mode of worship of Oduduwa deity while isolating the ritual performances and theatricalities in the festival celebration. The paper concludes that while ritual acts and ceremonies are fading away in most African communities , festival like the Oduduwa should be encouraged and supported because of its significant socio- cultural contributions to the Ikoro-Ekiti community.

Keywords: Theatre, Ritual performance, Oduduwa festival, Yoruba, Ikoro-Ekiti.

Introduction

The heart of culture according to Samovar et al (2009:26) involves “Language, religion, values, traditions and costumes. Culture shapes and moulds our behavior, values and even ideas. It is the fundamentals of human existence. The word culture can be easily substituted for the word history. In a real sense, both are conduits that carry the essential messages considered important by a culture. History reminds us of our past, our traditions, norms and culture. Part of what history reminds us of is our festivals and rituals which are the main focus of this paper.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Abiodun J. Macaulay, B.A. (Hons), M.A.
Department of Performing and Film Arts
Elizade University
Ilara-Mokin
Ondo State
Nigeria
deejammy00@yahoo.com
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