AN EVALUATION OF THE DRAMATICAESTHETICS OF EMIDIN AND IGBO FESTIVALS OF OMUOOKEEKITI

AN EVALUATION OF THE DRAMATICAESTHETICS OF EMIDIN AND IGBO FESTIVALS OF OMUOOKEEKITI

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates the dramatic aesthetics of Emidinand Igbofestivals of OmuookeEkiti in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A festival performs a special role in African societies. The festivals are very important to the socio-economic co-existence of the people. This research identifies and evaluates the dramatic-cum artistic peculiarities that exists in the Emidin and Igbo festivals of Omuooke people in Ekiti State as an aspect of Yoruba indigenous performance practice. Also, these festivals are undergoing changes and this study reveals the current state of the selected festivals amidst these changes. However, this study attempts to contribute to the development of African oral tradition by adding to the documentation of the field of orature in Nigeria.Aesthetics centre on the different ways of appreciating things, the festivals in this study are aesthetically appealing to the people. These festivals produce pleasure, relief, and entertainment, express the values and beliefs of the people, and promotes the culture of the people. Also, the Emidin and Igbo festivals‟ performance are full of artistic and dramatic elements. Performative features of space/setting, spectacle, costume, make-up, music, dance and plot characterize these festivals.The methodology employed for this study was fieldwork oriented. It involved participatory observation of the festivals, interviews, documentary analysis, audios, pictures as well as library materials were all used.Chapter one provides the general background to the study. It also examines the research problem, research aim and objectives, justification for the study, the scope and delimitation of the study. Chapter two reviews related literatures and the theoretical framework adopted in the study. Chapter three analyses the form, functions and the dramatic aesthetics of the Emidin festival, by looking at the various artistic peculiarities in it.Chapter four deals with the Igbo festival. It dwells on theform, functions and aesthetics of the Igbo songs. It focuses on the songs and their functions in the community as a means of correcting offenders. Chapter five considers the changing status of the festivals. It looks at both the positive and negative effects of the changes in the festivals. Chapter five is the conclusion of the study.

AN EVALUATION OF THE DRAMATICAESTHETICS OF EMIDIN AND IGBO FESTIVALS OF OMUOOKEEKITI