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| Title: | Urban ode-lay masquerades of Sierra Leone: a theoretical explanation of failure, an answer to success |
| Author: | Nunley, J. |
| Book title: | Sierra Leone studies at Birmingham, 1983 |
| Year: | 1984 |
| Pages: | 363-382 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic term: | Sierra Leone |
| Subjects: | secret societies masquerades |
| Abstract: | Ode-lay origins are found in Yoruba secret societies which were introduced to the Sierra Leone colony from its infancy. Today Ode-lay societies have spread throughout the country. In freetown there are approximately thirty Ode-lay societies, with six major ones, including Firestone, subject of the present article. During his fieldwork in Sierra Leone in 1977-78, the author was struck by the considerable press coverage given to Ode-lay masquerades, their inter-society competition and conflict and confrontation with the police. One unsuccessful masquerade of the Firestone Ode-lay in 1977 was limited by government permit to perform only within a given area. It was apparent that what occurred outside Firestone territory, namely the streets, was missing from the scenario of the ideal and successful masquerade. Using publications concerning performance theory and the psychological dimensions of aesthetics and communication, the author explains why this particular masquerade was unsuccessful. Bibliogr., notes. |