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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | The potential value of 'oriki' (praise poem) in settlement archaeology in Yorubaland |
Author: | Ogunfolakan, Adisa |
Year: | 2002 |
Periodical: | West African Journal of Archaeology |
Volume: | 32 |
Issue: | 2 |
Pages: | 97-122 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Nigeria |
Subjects: | archaeology praise poetry Yoruba |
Abstract: | 'Oriki', a variety of Yoruba poetry, is an aspect of literature that embodies one's antecedents, significant events that happened in one's life, one's profession and sociopolitical role, family achievements and the status of one's city or town. In Yorubaland, 'oriki' plays an important role in the preservation of the history and culture of the people. This paper demonstrates the potential value of 'oriki' in the identification, analysis and interpretation of historical landmarks and archaeological material in settlement sites in Yorubaland (Nigeria). As a case study, it uses the 'oriki' of the Tokuloje (a group of Yoruba people) in Ogbomoso South Local Government area of Oyo State to identify historical and cultural landmarks of archaeological importance, and to infer the possible material that could be retrieved during excavations in their abandoned settlement. Also, the 'oriki' of the Lujumo family of the ancient city of Ile-Ife is used to analyse archaeological material retrieved recently from the basement of the family house. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract] |