Didactism And Yoruba Cultural Ethos In Ẹkun Ìyawo

Abstract

Gender criticism is not a novel concept in African oral literature. In fact,it is as old as any aspect of our oral tradition. With particular reference to the Yoruba socio-cultural milieu, Ekun Iyawo (Bridal or Nuptial chants/weep/song/poetry) significantly features as an indispensable corpus of our oral tradition at traditional marriage ceremonies. It was usually conducted by young ladies within the age group of the bride. Their role is to accompany the bride to move around the nooks and crannies of the community to bid farewell to all her immediate and extendedfamily before her departure to her husband’s house. The essence is for them to pray for her since we strongly belief in the efficacy of prayers. An indigenous theoretical framework, the concept of Ọmọlúwàbí is deployed in the discourse to closely examine the significant import of this traditional cultural practice. This is against the backdrop of post-colonial debasement of the value of the girl child as noticed in Facelessby Amma Darko published 2013. The paper concludes on the exultation of the virtues of African oral tradition and the sanity it brings to the society.