Yoruba Oral Artists and Cultural Symbolism: The Case of Ìrèmọ̀jé Eré Ìṣípà Ọdẹ

Abstract

This study examines the roles of the Yoruba cultural symbols in Ìrèmọ̀ jé eré ìṣípà ọdẹ. On one hand, no work has examined Ìrèmọ̀ jé aré/eré ìṣípà ọdẹ as an important Yorùbá oral genreor other hand, explored the relevance of the use of cultural symbols by the artists to the performance of Irèmọ̀ jé eré ìṣípà ọdẹ. This gap is filled by this study. Cultural semiotics is adopted for this study; because, symbolism is better comprehended and understood through the cultural meaning associated with those symbols. Ìrèmọ̀ jée eré ìṣípà ọdẹwritten by Àjùwọ̀n (1981) is used as a reference text; as the text majorly focuses on the hunters’ cult- awo ọdẹ. Cultural symbols are realised as tangible and intangible symbols. The use of some deceased hunter’s materialsin the text as symbols of hunters’ guild are analysed against their cultural significance towards the success of their performance in particular and,among the Yorùbá people in general. It is found out that, the deployment of tangible cultural symbols take prominence over the use of the intangible cultural symbols. This is as a result of religious symbolism associated with it. Keywords: Ìjálá, symbols, culture, hunters, performance, Artist, Oral Literature.