Indigenous Criticisms of Yorùbá Orature Performances

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Periodical article

Title:	Indigenous Criticisms of Yorùbá Orature Performances
Author:	Opefeyitimi, Ayo
Year:	1995
Periodical:	Research in African Literatures
Volume:	26
Issue:	4
Pages:	151-162
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	oral literature griots
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/3820233
Abstract:	Yorùbá orature - including narrative, poetic and theatrical - has been regarded as essentially performance-based. It is therefore not surprising to observe that criticisms of Yorùbá orature performance (YOP) are activities performed by both artists and audience. The variables used in judging YOP are intrinsic performance critical criteria, they are part of YOP artistry. This 'intra-oratorical' criticism has been a neglected area of aesthetic research to date. The present article discusses the systematic, sequential areas of YOP criticisms, divided into three levels: the preperformance level, the stage performance level and the postperformance level. The preperformance level forms the beginning of the internal arrangement essentially among artists. The absence of formal audience distinguishes this stage from others. At the stage performance level the audience uses various means to command amd praise the efforts of YOP artists who try to impress the audience. The postperformance activities of YOP are double-faced: artists appraise their performance, and the audience assesses the finished artistic product. Bibliogr.