Symbolism in Esilemba Oral Poetry: an Analysis of Its Significance in Response to Death Among Abanyole

Abstract

The study analyzed the meaning, role and significance of symbolism used in Esilemba burial oral poetry in order to understand how the Abanyole people respond to death when it occurs among them. It was based on the premise that the main motivation behind the symbolism in Esilemba oral poetry is to mitigate the overwhelming destructive social and emotional effects occasioned by loss through death. Esilemba oral poetry is performed during the burial of a respected man, the head of the family, among Abanyole. This is considered the most devastating death, especially given the patriarchal setup of the community. The study had two objectives: one, to describe the nature and performance of Esilemba burial oral poetry and two, to analyze the significance of the symbolism used in Esilemba burial oral poetry. These objectives were accomplished by conducting a critical analysis of the enactment of symbolism in Esilemba’s oral poems. The investigation was guided by two related but different hypotheses. One, that performance is the anchor upon which symbolism in Esilemba oral poetry thrives, and two, that symbolism plays a dominant role in conveying the meaning, role and significance of Esilemba oral poetry. The research was carried out as an oral literature field work that used a qualitative approach to describe the performance and analyze the significance of the symbolism. The method of data collection took an intra-cultural interaction and dialogue approach. It permitted the researcher to take an active part in live performances as one way of collecting data. Moreover, with the guidance of preset questions, the researcher conducted one on one oral interviews and focused group discussions with Esilemba oral poetry performers, the audience and informed members of the Abanyole community. These activities yielded a repertoire of thirteen poems accompanied by non-verbal data which were given free translation and analysis. The data was carefully collated with the information from interviews and discussions so as to come up with the research findings. The investigation embraced four theoretical approaches: the ethnopoetics theory assisted in the data collection from the fieldwork, with emphasis on interpretation of the performance best done within the cultural context; the semiotics theory helped comprehend the signs and their functions or significations, including verbal and non-verbal elements utilized in the symbolism in Esilemba oral poetry; while the performance theory helped to bring out how Esilemba performers utilized linguistic features, paralinguistic aspects and performance techniques to enhance their communication; and finally, the psychoanalytic theory was used to understand the social and emotional impact of the symbolism in Esilemba oral poetry on the mourners. From the findings of the investigation, it was confirmed that symbolism in Esilemba oral poetry is an effective and powerful tool that exposes the destructive social and emotional effects visited upon the people due to death and also, it mitigates against these destabilizing effects by performing a therapeutic role to restore the lost equilibrium to ensure that life continues smoothly