Cultural Production as a Strategy for Social Sanction in Yoruba Society: Akìbà Festival as a Case Study

Abstract

This paper describes the content and context of Akiba festival songs. These songs have a remarkable effect on the lives of people in the community. The satirical songs in the community perform the same functions with their counterparts such as G.èl.èd.é and Etíy.erí in Egbaland and Ìbàdàn areas of Yorùbáland respectively. Gèlèdé and Etíy.erí are forms of satirical songs in the areas mentioned above. At present, Akiba festival songs are almost completely weaned from formal purification rituals and are moving towards pure theatrical presentation. The typical Akiba festival singer has the opinion that he is performing a social, rather than a religious function. People take the advantage of the festival to socialize and meditate on the socio-economic development of the community. Also, people still recognize the significance of the festival as a means of social control in the community. In future, more festivals may, because of foreign religious activities, lose their ritualistic components. Only the poetry and song, re-vitalized yearly or at convenient times by the growing poets will live on, as has happened in many other traditions.


Humanities Review Journal Vol.3(2) 2003: 73-82