A Semiotic Investigation of Links between Ifa and Aro Codes

Abstract

Ifa is believed to be the foundation of Yoruba culture. Virtually every aspect of Yoruba life- history, religion, philosophy, science, ideology and so on has one link or another with Ifa. Previous studies have not related Ifa with Aro, this has denied us the opportunity to explore some inherent values Aro manifests in relation to historical and socio-cultural aspects of Yoruba life. This gap is filled by this study. The study relies substantially on data from Yoruba literary texts, especially Ifa literary corpus and Ar9 poems. Relevant data are carefully selected as samples and analyzed with semiotics, which is the study that concentrates on science if sign and symbol. This is because, Ifa, that is the basic element in this study, communicates in signs symbols. It is found out from the study that Aro is related with Ifa. thereby, making Aro to be better appreciated as an important Yoruba oral genre in the socio-cultural and historical life of the Yoruba people.