Family as Institution

2015

This paper examines the role of family life as the hub of Igbo traditional society. Family life emanates from marriage hence the proper upbringing of an individual towards the solidification of the society. However it has been observed that the influence of western culture has affected the Igbo family that the ties and bonds that bind the family are negatively affected. The paper therefore aims at taking insightful look at some of the avenues through which the family brings up an individual both politically, socially, morally and economically for a better, stronger and unified society. To do this, a descriptive survey method was adopted, backed with the review of some related texts. It was found that some ills in the society today are attributable to the neglect of the family life. The paper suggests that there is need to return to the usual family way of life by which the Igbo people are known. It finally concludes that since family life encompasses all that it takes to build a sol...

The International Journal of Humanities and Social Studies, 2021

Human beings are often confronted with difficult situations or predicaments that require dealing with so as to continue in life. If these situations are not controlled or solved, they may make life very difficult and unbearable at times leading to catastrophe and or death. This essay ‘Male and female predicament in Igbo society as illustrated in selected Igbo works’ examines predicament existing in Igbo society. It aims to ascertain what constitutes predicament and its implications in the Igbo society. The framework hinges on expository method of literary discourse to showcase predicaments abounding in the society in the spheres of culture, politics, economics and in the social perspective. The essay concludes that both males and females are confronted with these predicaments which they may or may not have caused for one reason or the other in whatever sphere. It is advisable to think deeply before proffering solutions to these predicaments when we are confronted with them to avoid making life mistakes and attracting severe consequences

2019

Omenala and Omenachukwu are wings of basic and fundamental human trado-religious activities and interactions in Igbo society. Omenala as basic human culture can be defined as shared pattern of behaviour and interactions, cognitive constructions and affective understanding that are learnt through a process of inter and intra socialization. Omenachukwu translates essentially as Divine Culture and in a large sense, Christianity and by extension, inculturation. Omenala and Omenachukwu are basic human activities within human society in relation to a patterned way of life as well as to a being of a sort. In this paper, the researcher using the method of unaided critical analysis finds out that in Igbo Society, between omenala and omenachukwu is a vital activity seen in ‘ome’ and the conjunction ‘na’ relates the activity either to culture as expressed in the concept of ala and Chukwu as to a supreme being. Keywords: Omenala, Omenachukwu, Tradition, Religion, Culture, Socialization

2001

This study aims to establish the Igbo tradition in Nigerian literature through the use of English language. The language of the writers of Igbo literary tradition is an ethnic variety of Nigerian English, which is characterized essentially by lexical innovation, transla-tion and linguistic and cultural transfer. Chinua Achebe stands out in this direction in view of his contributions to Nigerian literature through his peculiar and creative use of language. This effort is not peculiar to Achebe, but an Igbo tradition which emanates from Igbo lan-guage and culture as has been demonstrated in the works of some of the most prolific Igbo English writers, precisely John Munonye, Buchi Emecheta, Chukwuemeka Ike, Cyprian Ekwensi, Nkem Nwankwo, and Elechi Amadi. This literary tradition has become a signifi-cant stylistic device in that it grants writers the freedom to use the English language cre-atively.

The paper is an appraisal of Oyeronke Oyewumi’s argument that Yorùbá is non-gendered. It examines her arguments in support of this. It finds out that Oyewumi’s claim is not evident in Yorùbá setting. At best, it can be considered to be pseudo argument. The paper concludes, using the methods of conceptual analysis and philosophical argumentation, that since the discourse about gender is a universal phenomenon, and since it cannot be done away given its inherent function, there exists no nation, race group of people without gender. Therefore, Yorùbá cannot be an exception, that is, by implication, Yorùbá is gendered. [Keywords: gender, non-gendered, feminism, agbo-ilé, ọmọ-ìyá]

INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF AFRICAN & ASIAN STUDIES (IJAAS), 2020

Researchers, over the years have tried to limit Igbo literature to mere moonlight stories and folktales. Some of them believed that it is not fit to be regarded as literature because, to them it does not follow certain Lay down rules. Literature generally was formally regarded as any written work, but over the years, there was a need to differentiate between a mere document and literary works; which is then regarded as literature. It is on this note that this study is done. To find out if the Igbo literature is a mere document, thus arts for arts sake or literature in all sense. To do this, various themes from the text, Mmiri á» Œkụ E Ji Egbu Mbe is discussed. The narrative method of analysis was chosen to analyze the themes and major sociocultural materials drawn from the text. It is discovered that Igbo literature cannot afford the luxury of arts-for-arts sake neither is it a mere document. This study will be beneficial to students of Igbo literature and scholars alike as it will add more contents the study and perception of Igbo literature.

Dialectical Anthropology, 2007

Reflecting on ethnography and interpretations of culture, he illustrates his comments with an Iranian folk tale as well as references to

Yoruba Studies Review, 2021

Encyclopedia of the Yoruba is a single-volume encyclopedia that is comprised of 285 entries of short essays written by 188 authors who are predominantly scholars and academic researchers from Africa, Europe and North America. The different word-ranges of the essays vary from 1000 words (for 78 entries) to 750 words (for 88 entries) and 500 words (for 119 entries). Across these entries, the encyclopedia gives a complex, yet detailed, presentation of the Yorùbá, a dominant ethnic group in West Africa and the most prominent African cultural population, identity and presence in the African diaspora including North America, the Caribbean and South America. It presents the Yorùbá with respect to their involvements in, and interactions with, different sociocultural experiences, practices and expressions by “emphasizing the peculiarities, features, and commonalities of the people” (xi). Following an alphabetical ordering, each entry in the encyclopedia is complete on its own as it examines ...

This work attempts to show some perspectives of the Yoruba people of southwest, Nigeria as regards value and character. Values are taken to be a set of institutional ideals, which guide and direct the patterns of life. Traditional Yoruba societies try by all means to inculcate the moral virtues in their children by the use of various oral traditions. These are used to prescribe, describe and modify the character of their people. Making sure that societal unacceptable actions are discouraged and virtue is encouraged. Societal enshrined values are what comprises character for the Yoruba. A moral person is called omoluabi who is an embodiment of iwa i.e. good character. The essence of Yoruba traditional education, which is mainly oral though with a more pragmatic attestation, is to inculcate in a young child the right values and thus develop one into an omoluabi. The Yoruba are generally regarded by their neighbors and acquaintances as experts in the arts of diplomacy; and decorum of behavior and manners. They' are known for their political and social normalcy.